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Thomas Kirwan. 



MEMORIAL HISTORY 



SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT 

MASSACHUSETTS 
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 

(Old and New Organizations) 

IN THE CIVIL WAR FROM 1861-1865 



Issued by the Authority of the Supervisors, authorized to write and 
pubHsh the History. 



Written and compiled in part by 
THOMAS KIRWAN 

Edited and Completed by 

HENRY SPLAINE 

Address HENRY SPLAINE, 3 'Midland Street, Dorchester, Mass. 



Copyrighted, 1911, by Colonel Henry Splalne 



Published for the Committee on History 

By THE SALEM PRESS CO. 

Salem, Mass. 



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rj'/ 2 
I id.- 







THE FLAG 



By Arthur Macy 



"Here comes the Flag! 

Hail it! 
Who dares to drag or 

Trail it? 
Give it hurrahs, 
Three for the stars, 
Three for the bars. 

' ' Uncover your head to it ! 
The soldiers who tread to it 
Shout at the sight of it, 
The justice and right of it, 
The unsullied white of it, 
The blue and red of it, 
And tyranny's dread of it. 



"Here comes the Flag! 

Cheer it. 
Valley and crag 

Shall hear it. 
Fathers shall bless it, 
Children caress it. 
All shall maintain it, 
No one shall stain it. 

"Cheers for the sailors that fought 

on the wave for it; 
Cheers for the soldiers that 

always were brave for it, 
Tears for the men that went 

down to the grave for it. 
Here comes the Flag!' ' 



CONTENTS 



PAGE. 

Chapter 1 1 

Massachusetts in the Civil War — The Prompt Response to Call for 
Troops — The Seventeenth Among the Early Three Year's 
Regiments to Answer the Call — The Companies Composing It 
and Where Formed. 

Chapter II 7 

Roster of Field and Staff, Non-Commissioned Staff, Band and Com- 
pany Officers of the Seventeenth Regiment, and of all Enlisted 
Men of the Original Regiment. 

Chapter III 66 

Portraits with Biographies of Field and Staff Company Officers — 
Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers Infantry — First Organi- 
zation. 

Chapter IV 103 

Departure for Seat of War — Arrival in Baltimore — Cool Reception — 
Expedition to Eastern Shore of Virginia — He Stole His Own 
Goose -Cherytown Oysters — Return to Baltimore — Recollec- 
tions of the War by Ruel B. Pray. 

Chapter V 118 

Baltimore to Newbern — In Burnsides Ninth Corps — First Brigade 
of Foster's Division — Colonel Amory Commanding the Bri- 
gade — At the Front — Picket, Scouting and Fighting — Jackson 
Place, Red House and Deep Gully— Netural Zone — Malaria- 
Conversion of Mrs. Cleave — Trenton — Turkey Fallon — Laugh- 
able Matter — Plymouth and Tarboro — Short of Rations — 
Battles of Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro. 

Chapter VI 168 

Relieved from Provost Guard and Back in Barracks at the South 
Side of the Trent— The Johnnies Came to Collect a Year's 
Rent— Battle of Blounts Mill— Charge of the Causeway — 
Gum Swamp Expedition — Trenton and the Barber of Seville — 
Plenty of Water Down There— Wint on or Mt. Tabor Church— 
The Captain's Shower Bath— Escorting the Colors— Captain 
Mac and the Laughing Mule — Didn't Blame the Captain. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Chapter VII 196 

In the City on Provost Guard — Batchelder Creek by Colonel Splaine — 
A Civic Hero in the Muddy Trenches — Siege of Washington, 
N. C, with Signal Guns — Second Direct Attack on Newbern — 
Colonel Amory and the Daughter of the Regiment — A Moon- 
light Drill — Capture and Fate of a Confederate Spy — Muster 
Out of the Old Seventeenth Regiment and Birth of the New 
Organization. 

Chapter VIII.. . 225 

Birth of the New Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers — Captain 
Henry Splaine Assumes Command — Command Transferred to 
Newport Barracks — Captain Splaine in Command of Post— Alter- 
cation with Captain Graham-General Palmer Fears Attack Along 
the Whole Line — Some Recruits Arrive — Chase of Nickerson, the 
Rebel Scout — Capture of Sergeant Perkins — Move of Captain 
Graham — Capture of Captain George Bell of Confederate 
Army — Ordered Home on Veteran Furlough — Yellow Fever 
Breaks Out — Death of Colonel Amory — View of Newbern 
after Furlough — Trading Day at Outposts — Regiment to be 
Filled Up — Unlawful Keeping of Recruits in Second Heavy 
Artillery — Arrival of Lieut .-Colonel Fellows, Commissioned as 
Colonel — Captain Graham Again — General Grant and the 
Sentry — Many Recruits from Second Heavy Artillery — Failure 
of Colonel Fellows to Muster — Eight Full Companies Organized — 
Leaving Newport Barracks for the Field. 

Chapter IX 263 

Roster of Field, Staff, Non-Commissioned Staff, Company Officers 
and Enlisted Men of the Reorganized Seventeenth Regiment, 
Massachusetts Veteran Volunteer Infantry. 

Chapter X 295 

Biographies — With Portrait of Field, Staff, Line Officers and a few 
of the Enlisted Men of the Reorganized, or Veteran Seventeenth 
Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. 

Chapter XI 313 

Taking the Field — March 4, 1865 — Splaine's Brigade, Composition 
of ^General Carter Commanding Division; General Cox Com- 
manding the Corps and General Schofield Commanding the 
Army — Skirmishing with the Enemy — Throwing up Works at 
Wise's Forks — A Real Romance of the War — Charles S. Bolton, 
A Hero — Battle of Wise's Forks, Part 1, 2, 3 and 4 — Captain 
Fish's Pop Guno — Strengthening our Works — A War Song — Cap- 
ture of Upham's Brigade, as Told by General Carter — Complete 
History, With Joy Around the Camp Fires. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Chapter XII 357 

After the Battle — Enter Kinston — General Henderson, the New 
Brigade Commander — Story of Mrs. Dr. Miller of Kinston, 
N. C, Parts 1, 2, and 3— On to Raleigh— General Schofield's 
Order of Good News — War is Hell^Lee's Surrender — Battle 
of Averysboro — Assassination of Lincoln— Stonewall Jackson's 
Horse — March to Greensboro — Splaine's Irish-African Friend 
Had Never Seen an Irishman — Graham and Greensboro — A 
War Story — A Massachusetts Secessionist — Hugh Young's 
Glee Club — War Song — In Command at Greensboro — Quarrel 
With Worthington — Mayor Scott of Greensboro, Thanks 
Regunent — One-Year Men Sent Home — Fourth of July Salute 
Muster Out of the Veteran Regiment — Remarks of Benjamin 
P. Rogers — Colonel Splaine's Valedictory — A Verse. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Laura Carolina Amory 72 

Col. Thomas I. C. Amort 4 

Camp Andrew 116 

Capt. Sidney C. Bancroft 306 

Charles S. Bolton 336 

Capt. David F. Brown 300 

First Lieut. Michael Burns 306 

Capt. Lewis Cann 304 

Sergt. Michael Carney 306 

Adjt. Henry A. Cheever 112 

Lieut. Linus B. Comins 300 

Albert J. Cook 224 

Lieut. Edward P. Cotting 300 

Major Luther Day 320 

Capt. Horace Dexter 300 

William H. Eaton 320 

Asst. Surg. Charles G. A. Eayers. . . 304 

Capt. Charles O. Fellows 96 

Col. John F. Fellows 8 

Charles E. Flanders 306 

Samuel J. Ford 224 

Lir:uT. Thomas W. Foster 306 

Major Jones Frankle 320 

Capt. N. F. Fuller 112 

Doctor I. F. Galloupe 304 

Lieut. Dl. L. Getchell 300 

RuFUS L. Oilman 320 

Lieut. Thomas W. Goodwin 320 

Lieut. Jere A. Greeley 300 

Frederick T. Greenhalge.... : 72 

William D'Arcy Haley 300 

Sergt. Granville Hardy 176 

Quartermaster Robert Harris 136 

RuFus Hart 300 

General T. J. Henderson 336 

Lieut. John B. Hill 304 

Asst. Surg. Wm. H. W. Hinds 304 

Amos Homans . 306 

First Lieut. Henry G. Hyde 320 

Lieut. James Inman 300 

Thomas H. Jackman 320 

Capt. Thomas R. Keenan 300 

Sergeant Frank G. Kelley 306 

Joseph G. Kelley 306 

Capt. George W. Kenney 112 

Thomas Kirwan Frontispiece 

Andrew P. Lewis 224 

Roland F. Lewis 308 

Capt. John K. Lloyd 300 

Adjutant Barnab.\s N. Mann 300 



First Lieut. Ezekiel F. Mann 136 

Maps. 

Battle of Blount's Mills, N. C. . . 168 

Battle of Goldsboro, N. C 160 

Battle of Kinston, N. C 156 

Battle of White Hall, N. C 164 

Battle of Wise Forks, N. C 316 

Lieut. Philip C. Mason 72 

James McKnight 176 

John W. McKnight 176 

Capt. M. C. M'Namara 304 

Lieut. Henry F. Merrill 300 

C.\PT. Joseph A. Moore 96 

J. B. Moores 306 

Lieut. James Moroney 136 

Capt. Geo. H. Morrell 300 

Lieut. Charles C. Morse 306 

Herman F. Morse 320 

Major John E. Mullaly 96 

William J. Murphy 300 

R. P. Newman 306 

Capt. Edward T. Parkinson 72 

Lieut. Reul B. Pray 104 

Richard Purtill 224 

George F. Putnam 306 

Capt. L N. Richardson 304 

Sergt. J. C. Richardson 320 

Lieut. Samuel G. Roberts 304 

Benjamin P. Rogers 224 

Capt. Malcolm Sill.\rs 96 

Lieut. Eben Simonds 296 

J. R. Simonds 120 

Lieut. James Smith 320 

Lt.-Col. William W. Smith 300 

Col. Henry Splaine 16 

Herbert Splaine 306 

Capt. James Splaine 176 

Col. James Stewart, Jr 336 

Capt. Levi P. Thompson 304 

CoRPL. Andrew J. Tilton 304 

Capt. Enoch F. Tompkins 112 

Lieut. William H. Turner 300 

John H. Tyler 320 

David Wallace 300 

Capt. Henry B. Webber 304 

Capt. Thomas O. Weir 320 

Michael Welsh 136 

Hugh Young 336 

Joshua Younger 320 



INTRODUCTION 



This memorial history of the Seventeenth Regiment Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer Infantry is offered to the surviving members 
of the regiment, to the families and kindred of the members who 
have answered the last roll-call, and to the general public, as an 
honest narrative of the services of the regiment in the great war of 
the Rebellion, during a period of over four years — from 1861 to 
1865 — with absolutely correct rosters of the officers and men 
of the command. 

It should be remembered that there are only three of the origi- 
nal officers of the regiment, — Colonel Henry Splaine, Major John 
E. Mullally and Lieutenant James Moroney, — who are accessible 
for information as to the services of the regiment in the field, and 
that there are only seven of the newer officers (gentlemen who rose 
from the ranks), — Captain Joseph A. Moore, Captain Charles 0. 
Fellows, Captain Malcolm Sillars, Captain Lewis Cann, Lieutenant 
Ezekiel F. Mann, Lieutenant Philip C. Mason, and Lieut. James 
Smith, — who are accessible, and who have taken part in writing 
the history. Added to these are a few enlisted men : Hugh Young, 
Roland F. Lewis, Charles E. Flanders, John H. Tyler, George F. 
Putnam, William H. Eaton, Joseph C. Richardson, Andrew P. 
Lewis, John W. McKnight, Benjamin P. Rogers, Samuel J. Ford, 
Richard Purtill, Michael Welsh and a few others who have ably 
and willingly assisted in furnishing material and writing most 
valuable sketches for the history of their regiment. 

Considering, then, the limited number of persons who have 
actively helped the supervisors to write the history, and considering 
that almost fifty years have elapsed since the organization of the 
command, is it any wonder that they approach their task with 
trepidation as to their ability to present a full, truthful and inter- 
esting history to their expectant readers? If the officers and men 
of the regiment who have been mustered out forever were alive 



INTRODUCTION. 

today, what a treasure of anecdote and other valuable information 
concerning themselves, their associates, their camp life, marches, 
bivouacs and battles, could be secured and presented to the reader? 
They are not here to speak for themselves, and the task of speaking 
for them has devolved upon the few surviving members already 
mentioned. 

Especial thanks are due to Colonel Splaine for his efforts in 
helping to write and present our history in its present acceptable 
form. Were it not for the assistance of the Colonel, the history 
could not have been written. 

At a regular meeting of the Regimental Association, held at 
Lynn Woods, on the 23d of August, 1907, the following-named 
members were made a Committee on History, with instructions 
to proceed to the writing and publication of the same: Captain 
Joseph A. Moore, Major Jones Frankle, Roland F. Lewis, Captain 
Malcolm Sillars and Colonel Henry Splaine. The committee em- 
ployed Thomas Kirwan of Company "K" as historian of the 
regiment. 

The progress made by that committee on the history during 
the three succeeding years was so slow that the Regimental Asso- 
ciation, at its regular meeting, held at the Lynn Yacht Club, at 
Lynn, Mass., August 23, 1910, unanimously voted to give Colonel 
Henry Splaine and Captain Malcolm Sillars absolute control of 
writing and publishing the history of the regiment. As a result 
of this action by the Association, the history was completed and 
ready for the printer a few months later. 

With these few explanatory remarks, the committee present a 
history as authentic and interesting as it is possible to make it at 
this late day — of a regiment whose brave and patriotic officers and 
men rendered trying and valuable services to their country — offi- 
cers and men who, during their whole term of service, reflected 
credit on themselves, their state and their nation, and of whom it 
can be truly said that no act of theirs, in battle or out of it, dimmed 
the lustre of a single star on the imperishable flag they carried. 

Henry Splaine, Supervisor. 
Malcolm Sillars, Assistant Supervisor. 

(Supervisors of and (Committee on Writing and Publishing the History.) 



Everett, Mass., October 25, 1910. 

At a regular reunion of the association of the 17th Regiment 
Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers of the war of the Rebellion, 
holden at Lynn, Mass., August 23, 1910, and of which William H. 
Eaton was president; Henry Splaine, treasurer; and Lieut. Ezekiel 
F. Mann, Secretary; the said association, after hearing the report 
of the Committee on History, and seeing no probability of a speedy 
completion of the said history, unanimously adopted the following 
resolution, offered by Comrade John H. Tyler: 

"That Col. Henry Splaine and Capt. Malcolm Sillars be ap- 
pointed supervisor and assistant supervisor, respectively, of the 
History of the 17th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers; 
that they have sole control of writing and publishing the same; that 
they have power to make contracts, collect money and pay bills 
in connection with writing of and publishing the same; and they 
arehereby instructed to make all haste in finishing and publishing 
the said history." 

Ezekiel F. Mann, 
Secretary of the 17th Mass. Regt. Infy. Asso., 
56 Oakes St., Everett, Mass. 



DEATH OF THOMAS KIRWAN. 



Thomas Kirwan died on Monday, February 6, 1911, at his 
home, 560 Beach Street, Revere, Mass., aged eighty-three years. 
He was the oldest newspaper man in Boston or its vicinity and held 
a place of honor at the banquet of the Boston Veteran Journalists 
in that city in November, 1910. 

He was born in Tryon, P. E. I., April 17, 1829. He came to 
Boston in 1848, and worked as a compositor on the "Boston Com- 
mercial Bulletin" and the "Advertiser." In 1862, he enlisted as 
a private in Company K, Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantry. 

In 1874, Mr. Kirwan went to "The Boston Herald" as a 
compositor, and later became a reporter. He held different posi- 
tions on the editorial staff, and did much work in writing special 
articles. He resigned from "The Herald" staff in 1903. Mr. 
Kirwan was the author of several books on mining and was a pro- 
found student of geology. He wrote also a history of the cam- 
paign against Goldsboro. 

Mr. Kirwan was married three times, and leaves a widow, who 
was Mrs. Mary Post. He left three sons and two daughters. 

The funeral was held Wednesday morning, February 8th, at 
ten o'clock. At his own request, only G. A. R. services were held. 

Comrade Kirwan was up to August 23d, 1910, the official 
historian of the 17th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He gave 
much time and labor to the work, but his long illness had compelled 
him to relinquish the task which he had vainly hoped to finish. 

The following letter from Colonel Splaine to the bereaved 
widow is explanatory of the unfortunate situation: 



3 Midland Street, Dorchester, Mass., February 12, 1911. 
Mrs. Thomas Kirwan, 560 Beach Street, Revere, Mass. 
Dear Madam: 

Having learned of the death of your beloved husband, Thomas Kirwan, 
Esq., I desire to express my profound regret at the loss of so estimable a 
gentleman, and offer to you nay heartfelt sympathy for your irreparable loss. 
Having been acquainted with him for almost a lifetime — both in civil life and 
as one who served with him in the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer 
Regiment during the Civil War — I am able to bear testimony to his valor 
and patriotism as a soldier, and to his ability as a journahst and historian. 
His recent ill health, which compelled him to relinquish the work of completing 
the history of his own regiment, as its official historian, is a severe blow to me, 
personally, as I am forced to take up and attempt to finish the work which 
he had so ably begun and partly finished, and which, no doubt, he would have 
brought to a successful and acceptable close. 

Praying that the Almighty God may comfort and console you in your 
bereavement, I am 

Sincerely yours, 

Tom Kirwan's Comrade-in-Arms, 

Henry Splaine. 



ERRATA 



Page 3, last line should read "Soldiering in North Carolina". 

Page 4, Middle of page, should read, Captain Duy. 

Page 9, should read, Capt. Geo. W. Kenny, wounded, Dec. 17, 1862. 

Page 14, should read, Sergt. John Dunn, re-enlisted Jany. 5, 1864. 

Page 15, should read. Corporal Albert F. Austin, enlisted May 10, 1861. 

Page 15, should read, Nathaniel B. Burpee. 

Page 15, should read, Thomas Carter, discharged September 24, 1861. 

Page 18, should read, Albert Remington, Sturbridge. 

Page 28, should read, Robert Hill, age 19. 

Page 28, should read. Alba McKay, discharged Nov. 25, 1862. 

PageSS, should read, Enoch M. Kennick. 

Page 40, should read, Henry Chase, re-enlisted Dec. 5, 1863. 

Page 48, Sth line from top, should read, Capt. Daniel B. Tarr. 

Page 62, should read, Lieut. B. N. Mann, wounded Dec. 17, 1862. 

Page 62, should read, Charles C. Morse, 2d Lieat. 

Page 264, should read, Henry A. W. Blackburn-Paxto». 

Page 267, should read, James H. Stewart, 1st Lieut. 

Page 268, should read, Wm. E. Oilman, enlisted Jdnuary 1, 1864. 

Page 272, should read, Algernon S. Nichols. 

Page 275, should read, Robert M. Field, enlisted Dec. 8, 1863. 

Page 275, .should read, Jeremiah Looby, discharged June 30, 1865. 

Page 277, should read, Henry G. Hyde, 1st Lieut. 

Page 282, should read, Charles W. Locke, enlisted Aug. 25, 1864. 

Page 283, should read, Nathaniel Phillips, discharged June 30, 1865. 

Page 284. should read, John Welch, discharged June 30, 1865. 

Page 284, should read, Joseph G. Martin, 1st Sergt., mustered out July 11. 

1865. 
Page 284, should read, Satnuel H. Jones. 

Page 288, should read, Charles Hartman, musician, mustered out July 11, 1865. 
Page 291, should read, John Wall, 2d, enlisted Sept. 5, 1864. 



CHAPTER I. 



Massachusetts in the Civil War — Its Prompt Response to 
Call for Troops — The Seventeenth Among the Early 
Three Years' Regiments to Answer the Call — The 
Companies Composing it and Where Formed. 

Massachusetts in the Civil War, and what a glorious record of 
patriotism and sacrifice it has! The Seventeenth Regiment of its 
infantry contribution to the forces of the national government is 
the one whose services in that war it is the purpose to treat of in 
this memorial history. 

In 1861 a condition of Civil War existed in the United States, 
due to the secession of the Southern States from the Union. In- 
deed, war had been actually levied against the nation in the as- 
sault upon and capture of Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor by an 
organized military force of the seceded states. This act of war 
aroused the people of the entire Northern States, and preparations 
were at once made to form a military force adequate to deal with 
the situation. 

Abraham Lincoln had been elected President to succeed James 
Buchanan, and was inaugurated at Washington on March 4, 1861, 
under peculiar and critical circumstances. The capital of the 
nation was filled with conspirators, and conspiracies to seize the 
capital were rife. It was a critical time for any ordinary man to 
assume the reins of government. But he was no ordinary man, as 
after events proved. 

His first inaugural, which was highly approved of by the people 
of the loyal states, indicated a moderate policy in dealing with the 
revolted states. He declared that it was not the intention of the 
government to interfere with the institution of slavery in the slave 



2 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

states, but was firm in opposing the doctrines of secession, and as- 
sured the people of all the states protection under the Constitution. 

To overcome resistance to enforcement of federal laws in the 
rebellious states, he at first called for a volunteer force of seventy- 
five thousand men to serve three months. These troops were 
promptly furnished by the governors of the loyal states, but it was 
soon realized that such a force was altogether unequal to meet the 
emergency, and that a more considerable army was needed to cope 
with forces which had been gathered and organized by the Con- 
federate leaders. It was judged also that a longer term of service 
would be required, as the subjugation of the states in revolt might 
take years to accomplish. 

Under the circumstances, the President, on May 3, 1861, issued 
a proclamation calling for a force of volunteers to serve for three 
years, unless sooner discharged. At that time a great number of 
military companies were in process of formation in the cities and 
towns of the Commonwealth. The capture of Sumter, and other 
acts of aggression by the rebels, had intensified the feeling against 
the secessionists, and large numbers of men were ready and even 
anxious to enlist in the services of the government. At this junc- 
ture the following order was issued by command of Governor 
Andrew : 

"Headquarters, Boston, May 22, 1861. 

General Orders, No. 12. 

The President of the United States, by his proclamation of the 
third day of May current, having called into the service of the 
United States, to aid in the enforcement of the laws and the sup- 
pression of insurrection, a Force of Volunteers to serve for a period 
of three years, unless sooner discharged, and to be enrolled and 
organized in a manner to be made known through the Department 
of War; and the plan of organization adopted for this force, in ac- 
cordance with the Proclamation of the President, having been 
published in General Order No. 15, from the Adjutant General's 
office in Washington, on the fourth day of May current, and His 
Excellency the Governor and Commander-in-Chief having been 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 6 

this day notified that the quota of these volunteers to be furnished 
by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is fixed at Six Regiments 
of Infantry, to be organized as prescribed in said General Orders 
No. 15 from the War Department, so much of said orders as relates 
to the Regiments of Infantry to be organized under them is directed 
to be printed for general information.' ' 

The "Plan of Organization" was appended to the Adjutant- 
General 's promulgating order. This six regiments called for were 
promptly organized and furnished, and five more regiments were 
ordered into camp in the state, under the provisions of an act of 
the legislature, by General Order No. 16, issued June 1st. On the 
17th of June ten more regiments were requested by the General 
Government, and others were accepted from time to time, so that 
Massachusetts had, on January 1, 1862, about 36,000 men serving 
as three years' troops. 

Among the regiments thus brought into existence was the one 
which is the subject of this history, namely. 

The Seventeenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer In- 
fantry. 

This regiment (or rather the companies composing it) was 
recruited principally in Essex County, one company being recruited 
in Middlesex and one in Suffolk. The regiment was composed 
mostly of stalwart working-men, shoemakers, tanners, weavers 
and other mechanics, representing all the principal nationalities 
in the state at that time — English, Irish, Scotch (in fact, one of the 
companies, H, was known as the British Volutneers), French, 
German, natives of the British Provinces, but yet a large majority 
of the men were native Americans. 

The difficulties encountered by the people in getting into 
military organization were many and trying, though perhaps the 
state authorities were not altogether to blame for the delays com- 
plained of. In a little work by the compiler of this history, entitled 
"Soldiering in South Carolina by one of the Seventeenth," pub- 
lished in 1864, the matter is set forth as viewed in the early days 
of the war. It says: 



4 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

"Recruiting for this regiment commenced as early as the fall 
of Fort Sumter, but owing to the embarassed condition of the 
state, the hesitation of the General Government in regard to ac- 
cepting troops, and the want of authority on the part of the Gov- 
ernor to act, the regiment was obliged to wait from week to week 
without any decisive answer as to the intention of the government 
concerning its organization. The companies were formed on the 
militia basis, were desirous of regimental organization and to be 
mustered into the service, but every effort in that direction seemed 
to be counteracted. While other regiments were splendidly pro- 
vided for by private munificence, and hurried off to the seat of 
war, this regiment was unprovided by the state with an organi- 
zation, clothing, arms, equipments or rations. An opinion pre- 
vailed at one time that all idea of a regimental organization must be 
given up, and the companies enter the United States service 
through some other state organization. Captain Fuller of Danvers 
and Captain Bay of Haverhill determined to bring the matter to a 
focus. They visited the Governor, and after several ineffectual 
efforts to obtain an audience, at length succeeded, and informed 
His Excellency that they were going into the army and should 
take their commands with them; that they wanted to go in a Massa- 
chusetts regiment, and unless accepted by the state would go into 
the Mozart Regiment of New York, as one or two other companies 
from Massachusetts had already done. Orders were given them 
by the Governor to go into camp at Lynnfield. The other com- 
panies of which this regiment is composed, were ordered to the 
same place, and all arrived there between the 10th and 12th of 
July." 

Camp Schouler, at Lynnfield, which was formed on July 10 
1861, was the place where the various companies composing the 
Seventeenth were assembled. It was in command of Col. Lyman 
Dike, of the Seventh M.V. M., who was detailed to command 
the new regiment, no colonel having been commissioned. Colonel 
Dike was a most capable and efficient officer. He at once establish- 
ed a school of instruction and drill for the officers of the regiment, 
and soon had it in a tolerable condition of military discipline. 

At Lynnfield, the routine of camp life began. It was a life of 




Col. Thomas I. C. Amort. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 5 

strenuous duty that was to continue for an indefinite time in an 
uncertain future of hazardous occupation amid "moving accidents 
by flood and field." But the future did not seem to be viewed 
with apprehension by the men who had cast off the old life and 
taken on the new for the preservation of the integrity of their 
native or adopted country. 

Day after day the new companies of the Seventeenth were 
exercised in drill and manual of arms, at first in squads, then in 
companies, and lastly in battalion movements. Dress parade, 
inspection, etc., came at frequent intervals. The drill sergeants 
soon had the "awkward squads' ' in good shape; the squads in com- 
panies were drilled by their officers, and the companies in battalion 
formation were drilled in regimental movements by the colonel 
commanding. 

Marches over the rough country roads were frequently made 
to accustom the men to rapid movement in military formation, to 
toughen and accustom them to the kind of service they would have 
to undergo in active campaigning. 

This camp life and duty, though strenuous, was not altogether 
without its compensation. There were many of those sunny, 
optimistic souls among the men, who made life more pleasant 
by their vocal powers, their wit and humor, their practical jokes, 
more comical than harmful, and there were laughable episodes in 
which officers as well as men were often involved, all of which 
contributed to make life in camp more tolerable. Then the men 
thus brought together were making new acquaintances and friends, 
acquiring new ideas from their disciplinary experience, getting 
accustomed to a new mode of living, and gaining health by living 
on plain, wholesome food and sleeping practically in the open air. 
Men whose occupations had been pursued indoors, often in poorly 
ventilated factories, found here a new life in the open air with its 
exhilerating influence. Furthermore they were acquiring habits 
which made their new life and occupations not only tolerable, 
despite its hardships, but actually agreeable. It is true that the 
rigid and exacting discipline which they were subjected to was 
more or less irksome at first, but this wore off as discipline became 
habitual. 



6 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Altogether, this organization of men of various trades and 
occupations soon came to know one another, to fraternize, to be 
cheerful and even jolly, to acquire an esprit de corps so dear to all 
comrades, and to take up the burden of military duty and patri- 
otism like true sons of the militant races from which they sprang. 



CHAPTER II. 



Roster of Field and Staff, Non-Commissioned Staff, Band 
AND Company Officers of the Seventeenth Regiment, 
AND of all Enlisted Men of the Original Regiment. 

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 



Art. — Artillery 

Assig. — Assigned 

Bat. — Battalion 

Com. — Commissioned 

Co. — Company 

d.— Died 

disabil. — Disability 

Disch. — Discharged 

drum. — Drummed 

Expir. — Expiration 

gr. — Grave 

H. Art. — Heavy Artillery 

hon. — Honorably 

hospl. — Hospital 

Inf. — Infantry 



k.— Killed 

Must. — Mustered 

M. O. — Mustered out 

no fur. reo. — No further record 

organ . — Organization 

pris. — Prisoner 

pro. — Promoted 

rec. — Recommended 

re-enlist. — Re-enlisted 

regt. — Regiment 

regtl. — Regimental 

ser. — Service 

Sub. — Substitute 

transf. — Transferred 

vols. — Volunteers 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Thomas I. C. Amory, Col.; 3.3; Sept. 2, '61; Boston; transf. to reorgan. regt. 

John F. Fellows, Col.; Oct. 9, '64; Chelsea; not mustered. 

Henry Splaine, Col'; 27; June 16, '65; Haverhill; not mustered as Col. 

John F. Fellows, Lt. Col.; July 21, '61; Chelsea; pris. of war. Feb. 1, '64; M. O. Aug. 9, '64. 

Henry Splaine, Lt. Col.; 27; Aug. 10, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 

William W. Smith, Lt. Col. ; 27; June 16, '65; Danvers; M. O. as major. 

Jones Frankle, Major; 32; July 22, '61; Haverhill; disch. for promotion to Col. 2d H. Art., 

Dec. 28, '63. 
Luther Day, Major; 33; Dec. 29, '63; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Henry Splaine, Major; 27; Aug. 4, '64; Haverhill; promoted Lt. Col., Aug. 10, '64. 
William W. Smith, Major; 27; Aug. 4, '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John E. Mullally, Major; 26; June 16, '65; South Danvers; M. O. as Capt. 
Isaac F. Galloupe, Surgeon; 37; July 10, '61; Lynn; pris. of war; Feb. 1, '64; M. O. Aug. 

3, '64; brevetted Lt. Col. 
William H. W. Hinds, Asst. Surg.; 27; July 22, '61; Boston; promoted Surg. 12 Mass.; 

Reg. May 26, '63. 
Charles G. A. Eayrs, Asst. Surg.; Aug. 16, '62; Lowell; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George W. Clark, Asst. Surg.; 27; July 6, '63; Boston; transf. to F. and S., New Organ. 
Barnabas N. Mann, 1st Adjt. Lt.; 37; July 10, '61; Chelsea; relieved as Adjt., and assigned 

to Co. D.; wounded at Goldsboro, Dec. 17, '62; d. in Rebel prison Oct. 8, '64. 
Henry A. Cheever, Adjt.; 23; Feb. 20, '62; Chelsea; wounded pris. of war Feb. 1, '64; 

M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



O THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RA.NK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Levi p. Thompson, Regtl. Qm.; 37; July 10, '61; Cambridge; pro. Capt. Co. D, Jan. 9, '62. 
Robert Harris, 1st Lt. and Regtl. Qm.; Jan. 9, '63; Haverhill; pro. Capt. Com. of Subs., 

U.S. Vols., Nov. 26, '62. 
Horace Dexter, 1st Lieut, and Regtl. Qm.; 37; Jan. 1, '63; Cambridge; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William D. Haley, Chaplain; 37; July 22, '61; Rochester, Mass.; resigned May 30, '62. 
William P. Colby, Chaplain; Sept. 2, '62; Amesbury; resigned Nov. 2, '63. 
Henry F. Poor, Sgt. Major: 22; July 10, '61; Stoneham; pro. 2d Lt. Jan. 24, '62; assigned 

to Co. B. 
Laurentia Bailey, Sgt. Major; 32; Oct. 25, '61; Greveland; disch. fordisabil. April 2, 1863. 
Linus B. Comins, Jr., Sgt. Major; 19; April 1,'62; Roxbury; pro. 2d Lt. May 28, '62; assigned 

to Co. F. 
John B. Hill, Sgt. Major; 43; April 2, '61; Haverhill; pro. 2d Lt. Aug. 13, '62; assigned to 

Co. H. 
John F. Mills, Sgt. Major; 25; Feb. 14, '62; Bradford; transf. to Co. H.; re-enlist. Dec. 31, '63. 
William H. Osgood, Sergt. Major; 24; July 21, 1861, Newburyport; disch. for disabiUty 

April 3, 1862, at Baltimore, Md. 
James H. Stuart, Sergt. Major; 27; July 1, '64; Boston; transf. to reorg. N. C. S. 
Horace Dexter, Qm. Sgt. ; 35; July 22, '61 ; Cambridge; pro. 2d Lt. Feb. 9, '62; assig. to Co. F. 
Story D. Poole, Qm. Sgt.; 32; July 22, '61; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Alfred C. Taggart, Qm. Sgt. ; Aug. '61 ; Haverhill; no further record in Adjt. Gen 's office, Mass. 
Henry T. Merrill, Com. Sgt.; 23; July 10, '61; Haverhill; pro. 2d Lt. Aug. 26, '62, assigned to 

Co. B. 
Henry B. Webber, Com. Sgt.; 27; July 10, '61; Haverhill; transf. to reorg. N. C. S. ; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
George O'Neill, Hosp'l Steward; 32; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; disch. for disability Sept. 2, '62 

at Newborn, N. C. 
Edward P. Cotting, Hosp'l Steward; 25; Sept. 1, '63; Worcester; trausf. to reorg. N. C. S.; 

pris. of war Feb. 1, '64. 
C. P. Morse, Hosp'l Steward; July 22, '61; Lynnfield; disch. Aug. 7, '62. 
Leonard J. Sawyer, Jr., Prin. Mus.; 27; Feb. 26, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disabil. Sept. 30, 

'62. 
Arthur Hall, Leader; 41; Aug. '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
Abner Barnard, Musician; 29; Nov. 4, '61; Boston; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
Daniel Boardm.an, Musician; 42; Aug. '61; Georgetown; M. O. Aug. '62; must, out bands. 
Charles A. Boyd, Musician; Oct. 24, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
Samuel Bradbury, Musician; 31; July 2, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
Henry B. Brown, Musician; 23; Oct. 23, '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
William Chambers, Musician; 25; July 22, '61 ; No. Andovcr; disch. Dec. 7, '61, at Baltimore, 

Md. 
Horsefall Dewhirst, Musician; 27; Aug. '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
William A. Garrett, Musician; Sept. 1, '61; Lowell; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
William A. Hall, Musician; 14; Aug., '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
Benjamin Hills, Musician; 27; Aug. '61; Georgetown; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
Nathaniel C. Keith, Musician; Oct. 24, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
.Joseph G. Knight, Musician; 30; Aug., '61; So. Boston; M. O, . Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
Robert Lloyd, Musician; 28; Aug. '61; Manchester, N. H.; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out 

bands. 
John M. Lovett, Musician; 36; Aug. '61; Lowell; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
John E. Mills, Musician; 35; Feb. 26, '62; Haverhill; disch. Oct. 3, '62; must, out bands. 
Henry H. Moody, Musician; 41; Aug., '61; Roxbury; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
William H. Moody, Musician; 15; Aug., '61; Roxbury; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 
John P. Morrison, Musician; 19; Aug. '61; Rowley; M. O. Aug. 30, '62: must, out bands. 
Xiuther 8. Munroe, Musician; 32; Aug., '61; So. Danver; disch. July, '62; must, out bands. 
Charles Packer, Musician; 23; July 22, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability Sept. 17, '61; 




Col. John F. Fellows. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Charles O. Radcliffe, Musician: 3.3; Aug. '61;No. Andover; M. O. Aug., '62; must, outbaada. 

John Robbins, Musician; 34; Aug., '61; Lowell; disch. .July 11, '62. 

Alois S. Smith, Musician; 27; Aug. '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; mu3t. out bands. 

Temple Tebetts, Musician; 54; Aug. '61 ; Lowell; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 

Esau Wells, Musician; 21; Aug. '61 ; Biddeford, Me.; M. O. Aug. 30, '62; must, out bands. 

John Dennis, Mu.sician; 29; Aug. '61 ; Lawrence; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 

Orlando F. Osgood, Musician; 41; Aug. '61; Haverhill; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 

David F. Brown, Capt. ; 34; Aug. 21, '61; Newburyport; resigned Jan. 30, '62. 

Sidney C. Bancroft, Capt.; 35; Aug. 21, '61; So. Dan vers; resigned Dec. IS, '61. 

Nehemiah P. Fuller, Capt. 31 ; Aug. 2 1 , '61 ; Danvers; transf. July 30, '63 to 2d H. Art. 

GeorgeH. Morrell, Capt.; 29; Aug. 21, '61; Salisbury; resigned Jan. 8, '62. 

Michael C. McNamara, Capt.; 30; Aug. 21, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Luther Day, Capt.; 32; Aug. 21, '61; Haverhill; Major, Dec. 29, '63. 

George W. Kenney, Capt.; 31; Aug. 21, '61; Danvers; wounded at Goldsboro Deo. 19, '62: 

M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
JohnK. Lloyd,Capt.;38; Aug. 21, '61; Boston; pris. of war Feb. 1, '64; M. O. Mar. 12, '65. 
Thomas Weir, Capt.; 33; Aug. 21, '61; Lawrence; dismissed July 2, '62 by G. C. M. 
Joseph R. Simonds, Capt.; 43; Aug. 21, '61; Melrose; must, out Aug. 3, '64. 
EnochF. Tompkins, Capt.; 30; Dec. 19, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug 3, '64; Recom. 
Levi P. Thompson, Capt.; Jan. 9, '62; Cambridge; d. Sept. 20, '62. 
Henry Splaine, Capt.; 24; Jan. 31, '62; Haverhill; wounded at Winton July 26, '63; Major, 

Aug. 4, '64. 
William W. Smith, Captain; 24; July 3, '62; Danvers; Major, Aug. 4, '64. 
Ivory N. Richardson, Capt.; 24; Sept. 25, '62; Maiden; Aug. 3, 1864, expir. of service. 
John E. Mullaly, Capt.; 24; Dec. 29, '63; So. Danvers; Major June 16, 1865. 
Malcolm Sillers, Capt.; 26; Aug. 4, '64; So. Danvers; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 1st Lt. 
Charles O. Fellows, Capt.; 20; Aug. 4, '64; Chelsea; July 11, '65, expir. of service. 
James Splaine, Capt.; 24; Aug. 10, '64; Haverhill; July 11, '65, e.xpir. of service. 
Joseph A. Moore, Capt.; 21; Sept. 1, '64; Gloucester; July 11, '65, expir. of service. 
Henry B. Webber, Capt.; 29; Sept. 1, '64; Groveland; July 11, '65, expir. of service. 
Lewis Cann, Capt.; 24; Nov. 21, '64; Danvers; July 11, '65, expir. of .service. 
Thomas R. Keenan, Capt.; 27; Feb. 3, '65; Lynnfield; wounded in battle of Wilderness; 

July 11, '65, expir. of service. 
Horace Dexter, Capt.; 39; June 16, '65; Cambridge; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 1st Lt. 
Barnabas N. Mann, 1st Lt.; 37; Aug. 21, '61; Chelsea: wounded at Goldsboro Dec. 17, '62; 

d. October 8, '64, in rebel prison. 
Levi P. Thompson, 1st Lt.; Aug. 21, '61; Cambridge; Capt., Jan. 9, '62. 
Thomas W. Foster, 1st Lt.; 33; Aug. 21, '61; Newburyport; resigned Jan. 8, '62. 
Robert B. Bancroft, 1st Lt.; 25; Aug. 21, '61; So. Danvers: resigned Dec. 12, '61. 
William W. Smith, 1st Lt.; 23; Aug. 21, '61; Danvers; Capt. July 3, '62. 
Jere A. Greeley, 1st Lt.; 27; Aug. 21, '61; Salisbury; Aug. 25, '63, Capt. 2d H. Art. 
Henry Splaine, 1st Lt.; 24; Aug. 21, '61; Haverhill; Capt., Jan. 31, '62. 
Enoch F. Tompkins, 1st Lt.; 30; Aug. 21, '61; Haverhill; Capt., Dec. 19, '61. 
George W. Tufts, 1st Lt.; 33; Aug. 21, '61; Rockport; d. Oct. 27, '61, Baltimore, Md. 
John S. Hammond, 1st Lt.; 30; Aug. 21, '61; Boston; resigned May 15, '62. 
Michael Bums, 1st Lt.; 21; Aug. 21, '61; Lawrence; resigned Jan 17, '62. 
Ivory N. Richardson, 1st Lt.; 23; Aug. 21, '61; Maiden; Capt. Sept. 25, '62. 
William H. Turner, 1st Lt.; 24; Oct. 28, '61; Haverhill; resigned April 25, '63. 
John E. Mullaly, 1st Lt.; 22; Dec. 13, '61 ; So. Danvers; Capt., Dec. 29, '63. 
Ruel B. Pray, 1st Lt.; 24; Dec. 19, '61; Danvers; resigned Aug. 9, '62. 
Robert Harris, 1st Lt.; Jan. 9, '62; Haverhill; Dec. 31, '62; Com. Sub. U. S. Vol. 
Edward T. Parkinson, 1st Lt.; 23; Jan. 9, '62; West Roxbury; July 7, '63, Asst. Adjt. Gen. 

Vols. 
James Maroney, 1st Lt.; 24; Jan. 31, '62; Haverhill; resigned Aug. 12, '62. 



10 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Henry A. Cheever, 1st Lt.; Feb. 20, '62; Chelsea; wounded prisoner war Feb. 1, '64; Aug. 

3, '64, expir. of service. 
Archibald Bogle, 1st Lt.; 22; May 28, '62; Melrose; May 20, '63, Ma,i. 35th U. S. Col. Troops. 
Thomas F. Newton, 1st Lt.; 33; July 3, '62; Haverhill; Transf. 2d N. C. Union Vols.; July 

11, '65, expir. of service. 
Ezekiel F. Mann, 1st Lt.; 25; Aug. 13, '62; Boston; wounded at Goldsboro Dec. 17, '62; 

resigned May 16, '63. 
Charles O. Fellows, 1st Lt.; 22; Aug. 13, '62; Chelsea; Capt. Aug. 4, '64. 
Henry Poor, 1st Lt.; 23; Sept. 25, '62; Stoughton; resigned Dec. 23, '62. 
James Splaine, 1st Lt.; 22; Dec. 24, '62; Haverhill; Capt. Aug. 10, '64. 
Horace Dexter, 1st Lt.; 37; Jan. 1, '63; Cambridge; Aug. 3, '64; expir. of service, recom. 
Thomas R. Keenan, 1st Lt.; 25; Apr. 26, '63; Lynnfield; wounded in battle of Wilderness 

Mar. 19, '64, Capt. 56th Inft. 
Linus B. Comins, Jr.; 1st Lt.; 20; May 17, '63; Roxbury; prisoner of war Feb. 1, '64; Aug. 

3, '64, expir. of service. 
John B. Mill, 1st Lt.; 45; May 21, '63; Haverhill; prisoner of war Feb. 1, '64; Mar. 11, '65, 

expir. of service. 
Philip C. Mason, 1st Lt.; 28; July 8, '63; Newburyport; Aug. 3, '64, expir. of service. 
Joseph W. Day, 1st Lt.; 31; Aug. 26, '63; Bradford; pris. of war Feb. 1, '64; Mar. 15, '65, 

expir. of service. 
Horace Dexter, 1st Lt.; 38; Aug. 3, '64; Cambridge; Capt. June 15, '65. 
Lewis Cann, 1st Lt.; 24; Aug. 4, '64; Danvers; Capt. Nov. 21, '64. 
Joseph A. Moore, 1st Lt.; 21; Aug. 15, '64; Gloucester; Capt. Sept. 1, '64. 
Henry B. Webber, 1st Lt.; 29; Aug. 15, '64; Groveland; Capt. Sept. 1, '64. 
Malcolm Sillars, 1st Lt.; 26; Sept. 1, '64; So. Danvers; Capt. Aug. 4, '64. 
Henry G. Hyde, 1st Lt.; 22; Sept. 1, '64; Danvers; July 11, '65, expir. of service. 
James H. Stuart, 1st Lt.; 29; Nov. 21, '64; Boston; July 11, '65, expir. of service. 
James Smith, 1st Lt.; 31; June 1, '65; Danvers; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 2d Lt. 
Uriah Robertson, 1st Lt.; 30; June 1, '65; Danvers; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 2d Lt. 
Edward P. Cotting, 1st Lt.; 27; June 1, '65; Worcester; prisoner of war Feb. 1, '64; July 11, 

'65, expir. of service as 2d Lt. 
Orrin B. Cooley, 1st Lt.; 39; June 1, '65; Longmeadow; July 11, '65; expir. of service as 2d 

Lt. 
Timothy Hawkes, 1st Lt. ; 28; June 1, '65; Danvers; prisoner of war, Plymouth, N. C. April 

20, '64; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 2d Lt. 
Robert Smith, 2d Lt.; 31; June 16, '65; Danvers; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 1st Sgt. 
Thomas W. Goodwin, 2d Lt. 34; Aug. 21, '61 ; Newburyport; resigned Feb. 8, '62. 
John E Mullaly, 2d Lt.; 22; Aug. 21, '61 ; So. Danvers; 1st Lt. Dec. 13, '61. 
RuelB. Pray, 2dLt. 24; Aug. 21, '61; Danvers; 1st Lt. Dec. 19, '61. 
Benjamin F. Chesley, 2d Lt.; 22; Aug. 21, '61 ; Haverhill: resigned Dec. 27, '61. 
JamesMaroney, 2dLt.;23; Aug. 21, '61; Haverhill; 1st Lt. Jan. 31, '62. 
William H. Turner, 2d Lt.; 24; Aug. 21, '61 ; Haverhill; 1st Lt. Oct. 28, '61. 
Alfred M. Channell, 2d Lt.; 29; Aug. 21, '61 ; Rockport; resigned Jan. 17, '62. 
Robert W. McCourt, 2d Lt.; 29; Aug. 21, '61 ; Boston; resigned Nov. 2, '61. 
Archibald Bogle, 2d Lt.; 21 ; Aug. 21, '61 ; Melrose; 1st Lt.; May 28, '62. 
Henry W. Oliver, 2d Lt.; 31; Aug. 21, '61 ; Maiden; resigned Feb. 6, '62. 
Thomas F. Newton, 2d Lt.; 32; Oct 28, '61 ; Haverhill; 1st Lt. July 3, '62. 
Ezekiel F. Mann, 2d Lt.; 24; Nov. 3, '61; Boston; wounded at Goldsboro,Dec.l7,'62; 

1st Lt. Aug. 13, '62. 
Charles O. Fellows, 2d Lt.; 19; Dec. 13, '61; Chelsea; 1st Lt.; Aug. 13, '62. 
HenryPoor, 2dLt.;22;Dec. 19 '61 ; Stoneham; 1st Lt. Sept. 25, '62. 
EdwardT. Parkinson, 2d Lt.; 23; Jan. 11, '62; West Roxbury 1st Lt. Jan. 9, '62. 
James Splaine, 2d Lt.; 23; Jan. 31, '62; Haverhill; 1st Lt. Dec. 24, '62. 
Horace Dexter, 2d Lt.; 36; Feb. 9, '62; Cambridge; 1st Lt. Jan 1, '63. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 11 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Thomas R. Keenan, 2d Lt.; 24; Feb. 10, '62; Lynnfield; 1st Lt. Apr. 26, '63. 

George T. Russell, 2d Lt.; Feb. 19, '62; Boston; resigned Sept. 18, '62. 

Charles C. Morse, 2d Lt.; 29; Feb. 20, '62; Haverhill; resigned Mar. 23, '63 

Linus B. Comins, Jr., 2d Lt.; 19; May 28, '62; Roxbury; pris. of war Feb. 1, '64; 1st Lt. 

May 17, '63. 
Henry T. Merrill, 2d Lt. ; 24 ; July 3, '62 ; Haverhill; resigned May 11, '63. 
Andrew Cook, 2d Lt.; 30; Aug. 13, '62; Danvers; resigned April 26, '63. 
JohnB. Hill, 2dLt.;44; Aug 13, '62; Haverhill; 1st Lt. May 21, '63. 
Philip C. Mason, 2d Lt.; 27; Sept. 25, '62; Newburyport; 1st Lt. July 8, '63. 
Joseph W. Day, 2d Lt.; 30; Sept. 30, '62; Bradford; 1st Lt. Aug. 26, '63. 
Daniel L. Getchell, 2d Lt.; 30; Dec. 24, '62; Wells, Me.; Aug. 3, '64, expir. of service. 
Sylvanus M. Sovereen, 2d Lt. 23; Jan. 1, '63; Maiden; Aug. 3, '64, expir. of service. 
Samuel G. Roberts, 2d Lt.; 21; March 24, '63; So. Danvers; wounded twice; Aug. 3, '64. 

expir. of serivce. 
LewisCann, 2dLt.;23; April 26, '63; Danvers; 1st Lt. Aug. 4, '64. 
James Inman, 2d Lt.; 25; Apr. 27, '63; Danvers; Aug. 3, '64, expir. of service. 
Joseph A. Moore, 2d Lt.; 20; May 17, '63; Gloucester; 1st Lt. Aug. 15, '64. 
Malcolm Sillars, 2d Lt.; 26; July 4, '64; Danvers; 1st Lt. Sept. 1, '64. 
Henry G. Hyde, 2d Lt.; 22; July 4, '64; Danvers; 1st Lt. Sept. 1, '64. 
James Smith, 2d Lt.; 30; Aug. 2, '64; Danvers; 1st Lt., June 1, '65. 
Orrin B. Cooley, 2d Lt.;39; Feb. 7, '65; Longmeadow; 1st Lt., June 1, '65. 
Patrick Breen, 2d Lt.; Feb. 7, '65; never mustered. 
Marcus A Hanna; Feb. 7, '65; Rockport; 2d Lt. 2d H. A. Jan. 21, '65. 
Eben Simonds, 2d Lt.; 24; Feb. 7, '65; Maiden; July 11, '65 expir. of service. 
Uriah Robertson, 2d Lt.; 30; Feb. 7, '35; Danvers; 1st Lt. June 1, '65. 
Edward P. Cotting, 2d Lt.; 27; Feb. 7, '65; Worcester; pris. of war, Feb. 1, '64; 1st Lt. June 

1,'65. 
Timothy Hawkes, 2d Lt.; 28; Mar. 24, '64; Danvers; 1st Lt. June 1, '65. 
Robert Smith, 2d Lt.; 31 ; June 1, '65; Danvers. 

Joseph A. Welch, 2d Lt.; 26; June 1, '65; Haverhill; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 1st Sgt. 
John Cowan, 2d Lt. ; 22 ; June 1 , '65 ; Salisbury ; July 1 1 , '65, expir. of service as 1st Sgt. 
Brotherton Martin, 2d Lt.; 25; June 1, '65; Newburyport; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 

1st Sgt. 
Thomas A. Murray, 2d Lt.; 22; June 1, '65; Lynn; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 1st Sgt. 
John Dunn, 2d Lt.; 33; June 1, '65; Newburyport; d. June 3, '65, as IstSergt. 
Thomas S. Clymonts, 2d Lt.; 33; June 16, '65; New Bedford; July 11, '65, expir. of service as 

1st Sgt. 
Joseph G. Martin, 2d Lt.; 39; June 16, '65; Danvers; July 11, '65 expir. of service as 1st Sgt. 
Joseph G.Kelley, 2d Lt.; 37; June 16, '65; Haverhill; July 11, '65,expir. of service as 1st Sgt. 
George W. Hewes, 2d Lt.; 28; June 16, '65; Haverhill; July 11, '65, expir. of serv.as Qm. Sgt. 



COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTEENTH. 



BRIEF SKETCHES OF THEIR FORMATION AND RATES. 

The call to arms in the spring of 1861, at the outset of the 
Civil War, was nowhere more promptly responded to than in the 
Old Bay State. There was a fine spontaniety in the inception of 
movement in the various cities, towns and hamlets of the state 
towards the formation of military companies. Not only were the 
patriotic men of the state willing and ready to peril their lives for 
the perpetuation of the Union, but the patriotic women — mothers, 
wives and sisters — united to aid and cheer them on. 

The following brief sketches of the movements leading to the 
enlistment of men, and the formation of companies to compose the 
Seventeenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry will 
fully confirm and illustrate this. The rosters of the companies 
are also given. 



COMPANY "A" OF NEWBURYPORT. 



"City Grays." 

(The following account of the formation of Company "A" 
of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry has been 
contributed by Comrade Joseph C. Richardson of Newburyport, 
one of the original members of that company, who was one of the 
first to respond to the request for information of that kind from 
comrades, making him in that respect "A No. l"of the contrib- 



COMPANY A. 13 

utors to this history. It will be seen that he goes directly into 
his subject and makes a good narrative of it.) 

On April 23, 1861, a notice to the citizens of Newburyport and 
vicinity was circulated, calling for volunteers to form another com- 
pany in Newburyport for the Union cause. In a few days over 
seventy men were enlisted for three years, and were drilled every 
day and evening, except Sundays, in Essex Hall, corner of Essex 
and State Streets, by Capt. John Remick, and by others who had 
some military knowledge. 

On May 22d, by order of Governor Andrew, an election of 
officers by the men enlisted was held, under the supervision of Ma- 
jor Ladd of Boston. David F. Brown was elected captain ; Thomas 
W. Foster, 1st lieutenant; William Bell, 2d lieutenant; Thomas W. 
Goodwin, 3d lieutenant; Alfred Horton, 4th lieutenant. 

This company was called the "City Grays." The city of 
Newburyport furnished it with a very fine uniform of gray cloth, 
with dark trimmings, at a cost of about $1500. The company, in 
its new uniform, made a splendid appearance. 

On application of Captain Bro^vn, the city of Newburyport 
gave the "Gun House" to his company for barracks, and also gave 
ten days' rations for the men who were to quarter there. The 
men took up their quarters at this place on July 4th at noon. 

On July nth, in response to General Order No. 26, calling for 
volunteers to serve for three years, or the war, the City Grays, 
Captain Brown commanding, took the cars at the Boston & Maine 
Railroad Station, to go to Camp Schouler in Lynnfield. They 
were accompanied by the Newburyport Band and the Wallace 
Guards of Amesbury, — Captain Morrill of Amesbury commanding 
that company. 

Large gatherings of people cheered them as they marched to 
the station, and the young volunteers had a grand send-off to their 
new quarters. The City Grays were assigned their position in 
Camp, and the Wallace Guards of Amesbury, afterwards Co. D, 
were given positions next to them. 

After the assignment of positions it was military duty con- 
tinuously — guard duty, company and battalion drills, dress 
parade, inspection, fatigue duty, doctors' calls, "peas on a tren- 



14 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

cher," reveille, taps, etc. It was the good old summer-time, and 
the boys enjoyed it. When not on duty, some were playing 
practical jokes on some raw recruit and amusing each other accord- 
ing to their several fancies. 

Ten companies from several cities and towns having been as- 
sembled in Camp Schouler, and organized as the Seventeenth 
Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the work of assigning 
them to their positions in the line was carried out. The New- 
buryport City Grays were now to be Company A of the regiment. 
Two lieutenants, William Bell and Alfred Horton resigned or were 
discharged as commissioned officers of the company, each com- 
pany now having but two lieutenants instead of four, in conformity 
with the plan of organization promulgated by the War Department. 

The company was mustered into the service of the United 
States, July 22, 1861, at Camp Schouler, Lynnfield, Mass. The 
men of the company were now furnished with a new uniform of 
blue material, similar to that worn by the infantry of the Union 
Army, and discarded the gray one given them by the city of New- 
burjqjort. Company A, with the other companies of the regi- 
ment, left Lynnfield x\ugust 23, and went into camp at Baltimore, 
Maryland, remaining there several months. 

The following is a roster of the company: 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "A". 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

David F. Brown, Capt.; 34; May 10, '61; Newburyport; resigned Jan. 30, '62. 

Henry Splaine, Capt. 24; Jan. 31, '62; Haverhill; transf. to new company "A". 

Thomas W. Foster, 1st Lt.; 33; May 10, '61; Newburyport; resigned Jan. 8, '62. 

Ruel B. Pray, 1st Lt.; 24; Jan. 10, '62; Dan vers; resigned Aug. 9, '62. 

Archibald Bogle, 1st Lt.; 21; May 28, '62; Melrose; pro. Maj., 35th U. S. C. Troops, May 20, 

'62; tranf. from Co. C to Co. A, May 20, '62. 
Charles O. Fellows, 1st Lt.; 22; Aug. 13, '62; Chelsea; transf. to Co. G, May 5, '63. 
John B. Hill, 1st Lt.; 45; Jan. 30, '64; Haverhill; pris. of war, Feb. 1, '64; disch. Mar. 15, '65. 
Thomas W.Goodwin, 2d Lt.; 34; May 10, '61; Newburyport; resigned Feb. 8, '62. 
George T. Russell, 2d Lt.; Feb. 19, '62; Boston; resigned Sept. 18, '62. 

Philip C. Mason,2d Lt.; 27; Sept. 25, '62; Newburyport; pro. 1st Lt. Feb.18,'64; assig. to Co. H. 
Joseph A. Moore, 2d Lt.; 20; May 17, '63; Gloucester; transf. Co. C, Jan. 28, '64. 
SamuelG. Roberts, 2d Lt.; 21; April 15, '63; So. Dan vers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Philip C. Mason, 1st Sgt.; 25; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; pro. 2d Lt. Sept. 25, '62. 
John Q. A. Johnson, 1st Sgt.; 24; May 10, '61; Amesbury; disch. for wounds, Sept. 10, '63. 
John Dunn, 1st Sgt.; 29; May 10,'61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist.July 5,'64. 



COMPANY A. 15 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENLISTMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Joseph C. Richardson, 1st Sgt. ; 20; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William Wiley, Sgt. ; 25; May 10, '61 ; Reading; d. Oct. 3, '63, at Newbern, N. C. 
William H. Osgood, Sgt.; 24; May 10, '61; Newburyport; pro. Sgt.Major Jan. 17, '62. 
Paul A. Perkins, Sgt.; 20; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disabiUty Sept. 18, '63. 
Elisha Young, Jr., Sgt.; 33; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jaa- 

2, '64. 

WilUam Rankin, Sgt.; 38; April 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for dsiability, Sept. 25, '62. 
Thomas W. Goodwin, Sgt.; 34; May 10, '61; Newburyport; pro. 2d Lt. Aug. 20, '61. 
Albert F. Austin, Corp.; May 10, '64; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. D; re-list. Jan. 5, '64. 
George Bradbury, Corp.; 28; May 10, '61; Newburyport; pro. Capt. July 17, '63, 2d N. C. 

Colored Vols. 
George W. Cook, Corp.; 18; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability; Nov. 23, '62, 

Newbern, N. C. 
James W. Davis, Corp. ; 19; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph Doring, Corp. ; 41 ; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; disch. for disability, Jan. 29, '63. 
Joseph W. Haines, Corp.; 18; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability May 9, '62. 
Samuel W. Reed, Corp.; 23; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability, Dec. 5, '63. 

wounded, April 9, '63. 
Ebenezer Cressey, Corp.; 43; May 10, '61; Newburyport; d. Nov. 30, '62, Newbern, N. C. 
William Splaine, Corp.; 29; Sept. 2, '62; Haverhill; tranf. to Co. E. 

Jeremiah B. Hill, Corp.; 42; Oct. 15, '61; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65; re-enlist. Dec. 27, '63. 
Richard G. Mayo, Corp.; 30; May 10, '61; Chelsea; disch. for disablity, Apr. 13, '62. 
Richard Withington, Corp.; 23; May 10, '61; Newbury; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Lewis F. Besee, Corp.; 38; May 10, '61; No. Chelsea; transf. to New Co. F.; re-enlist. Jan. 

4, '64. 
Andrew J. Tilton, Corp.; 20; May 10, '61; Newburyport; tranf. to New Co. A.; re-enlist. 

Jan. 5, '64. 
Alexander Poison, Musician; 25; May 10, '61 ; Lowell; disch. for disability June 19, '64. 
Albert Richardson, Jr., Musician; 14; May 10, '61; Stoneham; disch. for disability Sept. 

3, '62. 

Thomas Carter, Wagoner; 25; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; dischar. for disability at Baltimore, 

Md.,Sept. 24, '61. 
Asa Lakeman, Wagoner,; May 10, '61; Ipswich; disch. for disability Sept. 9, '62. 
Francis J. Adolphus, Private; 22; May 10, '61; Amesbury; discharged for disabil. Oct. 6, '61 . 
Thomas Ahern, Private; 26; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. 

Jan. 4, '64. 
Joseph Alley, Jr., Private; 29; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Henry Bel, Private; 24; Oct. 10, '61; Brookline; tranf. to New C o. A; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 
Isaac T. Bickford, Private; 29; Dec. 26, '61; Georgetown; d. at Baltimore, Md., Jan. 29, '62. 
Edward W. Blandin, Private; 44; May 10, '61; Stoneham; disch. for disability Sept. 24, '61. 
Wheaton L. Bliss, Private; 24; Aug. 19, '62; Seekonk; M. O. Aug. 3, '64; transf. from Co. D 

to Co. A, Oct. 22, '62; 
John Blodgett, Private; 24; Jan. 5, '64; Sturbridge; transf. to New Co. B. 
Patrick Bohan, Private; 26; Jan. 15, '64; Lynn; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 15, '64. 
Charles E. Bradbury, Private; 25; May 20, '61 ; Newburyport; disch. for disability Oct. 13, '63 . 
George W. Brow^l, Private; 30; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for dis lability May 2, '63; 

wounded Dec. 14, '62. 
John Burke, Private; 35; May 10, '61; Newburyport; tranf. to New Co. A; re-enlis. Jan. 2, '64. 
Nathaniel H. Burpee, Private; 26; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Calnan, Private; 35; May 10, '61; Stoneham; disch. for disability at Newbern, N. C, 

Feb. 2, '63. 
Thomas Carter, Private; July 22, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability, Sept. 24, '64. 
Rufus W. Chandler, Private; 33; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability Sept. ISi 

'62, at Boston, Mass? 



16 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Charles A. Cheever, Private; 38; Jan. 18, '64; Lynn; transf. to New Co. B, re-enlist. Jan. 

15, '64. 
Thomas B. Chipman, Private; 21; Aug. 1, '62; Bradford; disch. for disability Not. 11, '62. 
George I. Clapp, Private; 20; Jan. 4, '64; Chelsea; re-enlisted transf. to New Co. A. 
William D.Cloutman, Private; 30; Aug. 12, '62; Marblehead; disch. for disabil. Sept. 11, '63. 
James Cogger, Private; 19; Oct. 26, '61; Boston; disch. for disabilty Nov. 15, '61. 
Thomas G. Cogger, Private; 21; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disabilty Sept. 6, '62; 

at Newbern, N. C. 
David Cole, Private; 28; Jan. 5, '64; Chelsea; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 
James Connor, Private; 35; July 30, '61; Lynnfield; disch. for disability Feb. 2, '63. 
John Conner, Private; 23; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability Dec. 1, '61, at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Albert J. Cook, Private; 20; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 5, '64. 
John Conboy, Private; 21; Jan. 5, '64; Lynn; re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64; transf. to New Co. A.; 

pris. of war March 10, '65. 
George L. Coughlin, Private; 39; May 10, '61; Burlington, Vt.; disch. for disability Dec. 

1, '61 at Baltimore. 

John H. CouilUard, Private; 21; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability May 12, '62 

at Baltimore, Md. 
Alvm O. Cressey, Private; 28; May 10, '61; Ipswich; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John H. Currier, Private; 30; May 10, '61; Melrose; disch. for disability Aug. 26, '62. 
Thomas Curtin, Private; 26; Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted Jan. 

6, '64. 
Eben K. Danforth, Private; 22; May 10, '61; Georgetown; disch. for disability July 24, '62. 
WilUam M. Davis, Private; 39; Oct. 7, '61; Fall River; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

March 14, '64. 
Aretus H. Dillingham, Private; 28; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A.; 

re-enlisted Jan. 1, '64. 
Michael Dooley, Private; 39; Sept. 2, '62; Lynn; transf. to New Co.A.; re-enlis. Jan. 1,'64. 
Albert Drown, Private; 32; May 10, '61; Newbuiyport; d. Feb. 13, '64m at Beaufort, N. C. 
Daniel J. Dwjer, Private; 21; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Dennis Dwyer, Private; 20; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enUsted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Frederick Eaton, Private; 28; Jan. 1, '62; Maiden; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted Jan. 

2, '64. 

Willard Edmunds, Private; 38; May 10, '61; Saugus; transf. U. S. Navy Mar. 4, '64; re-en- 

hsted Jan. 1, '64. 
Thomas Fahey, Private; 45; Feb. 1, '64; Lynn; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Feb. 1, '64. 
Martin Fallon, Private; 35; May 10, '61; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George W. Fisher, Private; 31; Sept. 2, '62; Charlestown; disch. for disability June 22, '63. 
George E. Flanders, Private; 24; April 27, '61; Salisbury; deserted Aug. 7, '61. 
John L. S. Flanders, Private 26; May 10, '61; Newburyport; deserted Mar. 20, '62. 
Enos Floyd, Private; 40; May 10, '61; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Samuel J. Ford, Private; 19; Oct. 26, '61; Boston; transf. to New Co. E.; re-enlist«d Jan. 

4, '64. 
Robert Fowle, Private; 17; May 10, '61; Newburyport; no fur. rec. Adj. Gen. Office, Mass. 
James H. Foye, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability July 10, '63. 
Cassius M. C. French, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Boston; d. June 1, '62 at Baltimore, Md. 
Henry F. Fuller, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Melrose; d. Oct. 6, '61, at Baltimore, Md. 
William Gannon, Private; 19; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf . to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Isaac H. Gould, Private; 36; Oct. 24, '61; Amesburj-; d. Jun^29, '62, at Newbern, N. C. 




Col. Henry Si'laim-; a.s ('ai'taix 1862-3. 



COMPANY A. 17 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John W. Gower, Private; 31; Nov. 1, '61; Baltimore, Md.; disch. for disability Apr. 10, '62, 

at Baltimore, Md. 
Nathaniel Gumey, Private; 21; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability Sept. 11, 

'62. 
Benjamin F. Hall, Private; 19; May 10, '61 ; Georgetown; deserted Aug. 24, '61. 
Stephen S. Hall, Private; 29; June 3, '64; Upton; transf. to New Co. C. 
William Havlin, Private; 26; May 10, '61; Newburyport; deserted Aug. 23, '61. 
George W. Hews, Private ; 44; Jan. 3, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enUsted Jan. 

5, '64. 
Richard Higston, Private; 45; Jan. 15, '64; Lynn; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Jan. 

15, '64. 
William N. Hopkinson, Private; 25; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability June 

14, '62. 
Alfred Horton, Private; 33; May 10, '61; Newburyport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen. office, Mass. 
James Hubbard, Private; 21; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Jan. 3, '63. 
Thomas H. Jackman, Private; 20; May 10, '61; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Robert W. Jessup, Private; 36; Oct. 22, '61 ; Danvers; disch. Oct. 14, '64. 
Samuel R. Kemp, Private; 30; May 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Edward W. Kendell, Private; 18; Aug. 8, '62; Melrose; M. O. Aug. 3, '64 
Packard Kennedy, Private; 27; Dec. 26, '61; Georgetown; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 4, '64. 
George W. Kezar, Private ; 19; May 10, '61; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64; wounded 

Apr. 9, '63. 
Samuel Kezar, Jr., Private; Aug. 16, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlist. 

Jan. 5, '64. 
Charles W. Keyes, Private; 19; May 10, '61; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Leonard, Private; 35; Feb. 2, '64; Lynn; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Feb. 2, '64. 
William F. Lent, Private; 30; May 10, '61; Newburyport; wounded at Goldsboro Dec. 17, 

'62; disch. for wounds May 14, '63, at Boston, Mass. 
Andrew P. Lewis, Private; 20; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A and F; 

re-enlist. Jan. 4, '64. 
Charles Lang, Private; 22; May 10, '61; Georgetown; disch. for disability Nov. 23, '63. 
Daniel Lynch, Private; 19; May 10, '61; Newburyport; tranf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 

5, '64. 
George W. Lynde, Private; 18; May 10, '61 ; Melrose; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George Mace, Private; 18; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; d. Dec. 22, '61 at Baltimore, Md. 
John Mahoney, Private; 42; November 12, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John S. Marcey, Private; 18; Aug. 8, '62; Maiden; disch. for disability Nov. 11, '62. 
James I. Marshall, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Newburyport; re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
William W. Marshall, Private; 22; Jan. 22, '62; Newburyport; tranf. to New Co. A.; re- 
listed Jan. 1, '64. 
Dennis McCarty, Private; 25; May 10, '61; Boston; tranf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64; 

d. in service. 
Patrick McCarthy, Private; 19; Oct. 18, '61; Boston; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Dec. 

12. '63. 
James McKnight, Private; 19; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for wounds June 2, '63; 

wounded Dec. 16, '62; loss of leg. 
John or John W. McKnight, Private; 21; Feb. 17, '62; Newburyport; tranf. to New Co. D. 
James McWilliams, Private; 34; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; disch. for disability April 2 , '63. 
Lewis J. Morrill, Private; 34; Sept. 2, '62; Lynn; transf. to Co. E. Oct. 1, '62. 
Dennis Murphy, Private; 26; Sept. 2, '61 ; Lynn; disch. March 5, '64; lost leg in service, '63; 
Thomas A.Murray, Private; 18; Sept. 2, '61; Lynn; tranf. to New Co. A; wounded April 9, '63; 

re-enlist. January 1, '64. 



18 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

David Noble, Private; 29; No. 11, '61; Maiden; tranf. to Co. D, Dec. 12, '61. 

Benjamin L. Nolan, Private; 19; Jan. 19, '64; Lynn; re-enlist. Jan. 19, '64; transf. to New 

Co. A. 
Joseph H. Norris, Private; 23; May 10, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disability Dec. 15' 61; at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Edgar A. Parker, Private; 25; Nov. 2, '61 ; Haverhill; transf. to Co. D. 

Henry Parks, Private; 23; Jan. 18, '64; Lynn; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. Jan. 18, '64. 
Francis Peabody, Private; 19; Aug. 11, '62; Boston; transf. to New Co. A; d. in service. 
Willliam F. Pearson, Private; 18; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph Perkins, Private; 21; Aug. 11, '62; Newbury; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 4, 

'64; pris. of war March 8, '65. 
Alvin W. Phillips, Private; 21 ; June 21, '61 ; Boston; deserted Feb. 9, '62. 
Thomas G. Poor, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disability Oct. 14, '61 at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Sylvester Powell, Private; 25; Jan. 19, '64; Lynn; re-enlisted Jan. 19, '64; transf. to New 

Co. B. 
Morrison Proctor, Private; 35; Oct. 21, '61; Groveland; disch. from Regt. Hospit. Nov. 14, 

'61, for disabiUty. 
John Purtell, Private; 42; Dec. 10, '63; Newburyport; re-enlist. Dec. 10, '63; transf. to New 

Co. B. 
Richard Purtill, Private; 18; March 1, '62; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. 

Jan 4, '64. 
Albert Remington, Private; 22; Jan. 5, '64; Starb ridge; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64; transf. to New 

Co. A. 
Ezra Remington, Private; IS; May 29, '64; Starbridge; transf. to New Co. C. 
Albert Richardson, Private; 44; May 10, '61; Stoneham; disch. for disability, Sept. 24, '62. 
William G. Roberts, Private; 26; May 10, '61 ; Lawrence; deserted Aug. 24, '61. 
Benjamin P. Rogers, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Newbury; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Albert P. Sargent, Private; 30; July 22, '62; Roxbury; transf. to V. R. C. Mar. 12, '64. 
Benjamin A. Sargent, Private; 24; Feb. 4, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. F; re-enlist. 

Feb. 29, '64. 
James L. Smith, Private; 21 ; May 10, '61 ; Worcester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Samuel Smith, Private; 25; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; d. at Park Barracks, New York City. 

May 27, '63. 
Joseph G. Spates, Private; 22; May 10, '61; Newburyport; deserted Aug. 24, '61. 
George W. Stanwood, Private; 21 ; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3 '64. 
Thomas W. Stevens, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disabil.June 23, '63. 
Michael Sullivan, Private; 29; May 10, '61; Newburyport; re-enlist. Jan. 4, '64; transf. to 

New Co. A and D. 
Patrick J. Sullivan, Private; 38; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability May 18, '63. 
Andrew Templeton, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. 

Jan. 4, '64. 
Alphonso W. Thomas, Private; 19; Oct. 8, '61 ; Boston; transf. to New Co. A. 
PhilUp B. Tirrell, Private; 22; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph W. Tracy, Private; 34; July 23, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '63. 
Foster W. Tripp, Private; 19; May 10, '61; Portsmouth, N. H.; disch. for disability Oct. 6, 

'61. 
Joseph Wadleigh, Private; 30; May 10, '61; Newburyport; deserted Aug. 24, '61. 
Martin Watson, Private; 18; Aug. 20, '61; Newburyport; re-enlist. Jan. 2, '64; transf. ^to 

New Co. A. 
Michael Welch, Private; 34; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; disch. for disability May 4, '62. 
John H. Willis, Private; 26; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability Nov. 1, '61 at 

Baltimore, Md. 



COMPANY B. 19 

NAME, RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Henry Winkley, Private; 20; May 10, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability Oct. 26, '61 
at Baltimore, Md. 

Byron A. Woodbury, Private; 2.3; Aug. 12, '62; Glouchester; re-enlist. Jan. 1, '64; transf. 
to New Co. A. 

Claeb S. Woodwell, Private; 23; May 10, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. 
Dec. 14, '63. 

Miles Woodman, Private; 42; Nov. 14, '61 ; Boston; transf. to New Co. A. 

George W. Woodsum, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Hampstead, N. H.; d. Dec. 19, '61 at Balti- 
more, Md. 

Arancis B. Wyman, Private; 23; Jan. 19, '64; Lynn; transf. to New Co. A. 

Osgood Young, Private; 21; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disabiUty Oct. 28, '63. 

Peter Young, Private; 29; May 10, '61; Newburyport; deserted Feb. 28, '62. 



COMPANY "B", SOUTH DANVERS. 



Foster Guards. 

(Major John E. Mullaly has furnished the following sketch 
of the formation of Company "B" of South Danvers, called the 
Foster Guards, after the late General Foster (not the General Foster 
in command in North Carolina) . 

"On April 19, 1861, when the news came that our soldiers had 
been shot in Baltimore, I, with others, was talking about the news. 
I think there were about twenty of us together — all young men. 
I proposed that we get a drum and fife and march up the main 
street of old South Danvers, and the spirit seemed to be there. 
We got out the drummer, but not the fifer — instead we got a bugler. 
We fell into line in the formation of twos, armed with canes and 
sticks. We started from Harmony Grove Ridge and marched to 
the Town Hall in South Danvers. While on the march we got 
about one hundred recruits. 

"After arriving at the Town Hall we rang the bell. It seemed 
to me that it brought out all the men in town, old and young, as 
the Town Hall was soon full. Some of the prominent men of the 
town made speeches in relation to the war, which had then actually 



20 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

begun. Finally, one of the speakers suggested that those men who 
would be ready to go in forty-eight hours should give their names. 
There was a list started, and I think about one hundred and twenty- 
five men, old and young, signed their names — everybody, anybody, 
all seemed willing to go. They finally decided, after 11 o'clock at 
night, to adjourn until the following evening, when they would all 
meet at the same place. 

" I knew very little about military affairs at that time. There 
were more names signed than would fill a company. I proposed 
at the adjourned meeting that all the married men drop out, and 
the single men form a company which they did. We then took a 
vote, and voted to equip the members with uniforms. We had a 
tailor come from Boston and measure each man, and our uniform 
was gray with red trimmings. The adjutant general of the State 
was notified about the company, and he ordered an election of 
officers. A meeting for that purpose was held, and a man by the 
name of John Denny was elected captain at first, but this was not 
satisfactory to the men, and he did not serve. After two evenings ' 
struggle, however. Lieutenant Sydney C. Bancroft was elected 
captain in his place. John E. Mullaly was elected second lieu- 
tenant. 

"The town would not give up the uniforms because there was 
a prospect that the governor would not need the company. The 
Ninth Massachusetts Regiment expected orders to go to the front, 
and they were short of men. Some officers of that regiment came 
to our town, and got about forty men from our company to go 
with them. In a short time we received orders from the adjutant 
general of the State to go into camp in our respective towns without 
pay or equipment. Captain Bancroft received the order and 
turned it over to me. 

"I was captain of the company for about one year, and took 
great pleasure in serving in so good a company. My record of it 
is that not one man was placed in the guardhouse for misdemeanor 
of any kind. 

The following is a roster of the company : 



COMPANY B. 21 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "B". 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OP ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Sidney C. Bancroft, Capt.; 35; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; resigned Dec. 18, '61. 

Enoch F. Tompkins, Capt.; 30; Dec. 19, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Robert B. Bancroft, 1st Lt.; 25; May 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; resigned Dec. 12, '61. 

John E. Mullaly, 1st Lt.; 22; Dec. 13, '61; Salem; pro. Capt. assigned to Co. F. 

Charles O. Fellows, 1st Lt.; 19; Aug. 13, '62; Chelsea; pro. Capt.; Aug. 19, '64; assigned to 

New Co. F. 
John E. Mullaly, 2d Lt.; 21; May 10, '61; Salem; pro. 1st Lt. Co. B. Dec. 13, '61. 
Henry Poor, 2d Lt.; 23; Dec. 19, '61; Stoneham; pro. 1st Lt. Co. F. 

Linus B. Comins, Jr., 2d Lt.; 20; May 28, '62; Roxbury; transf. to Co. D. Feb. 13, '63. 
Henry T. Merrill, 2d Lt.; 24; July 3, '62; Haverhill; resigned May 11, '63. 
Joseph A. Moore, 2d Lt.; 20; May 17, '63; Gloucester; transf. to Co. E, Sept. 20, '63. 
Daniel Getchel, 2d Lt.; 30; Dec. 24, '62; Haverhill; transf. to Co. E, Nov. 1, '63. 
Herbert E. Larrabee, 1st Sgt.; 24; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disabil. Apr. 5, '63. 
Stephen F. Jones, 1st Sgt.; 22; May 10, '61; Salem; wounded Dec. 17, '62, at Goldsboro; 

disch. for disabiUty Feb. 7, '63. 
Edward F. Farnham, 1st Sgt.; 21; Aug. 22, '61; Charlestown; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Benjamin R. Arrington, Sgt.; 24; May 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
WilUam Mullaly, Sgt.; 19; May 10, '61; Salem; disch. Feb. 7, '63. 
Samuel G. Roberts, Sgt.; 19; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; pro. 2d Lt. Co. G. Mch. 24, '63; 

wounded Dec. 17, '62. 
Hugh McKenny, Sgt.; 21; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability Sept. 20, '62. 
Daniel Galucia, Sgt.; 19; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John H. Leonard, Sgt.; 29; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Riley Davis, Sgt.; 20; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Augustus Buckman, Corp.; 22; Aug. 20, '61; Lynnfield; deserted Jan. 24, '62. 
Eben H. Davis, Corp.; 20; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Edward Cassidy, Corp.; 22; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Henry A. Stone, Corp.; 18; Aug. 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles M. Woodbury, Corp.; 20; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. ; re-enlisted 

Dec. 12, '63. 
Israel P. Leavitt, Corp.; 28; May 10, '61; Salem; disch. for disability June 23, '63. 
Charles E. Barry, Corp.; 18; July 10, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlisted 

Dec. 15, '63. 
Calvin Chamberlin, Corp.; 18; Oct. 19, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 18, '64, at Boston, Mass. 
Jacob Galucia, Corp.; 18; Nov. 4, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to Co. D. 

Abraham Bond, Musician; 15; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability Aug. 13, '63. 
Samuel E. Tucker, Musician; 16; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlisted 

Jan. 5, '64. 
George Buxton, Wagoner; 24; July 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Action, Private; 30; Dec. 23, '63; Danvers; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. G. 
Daniel C. Adams, Private; 30; May 10, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George W. Bancroft, Private; 20; Sept. 1, '61; Baltimore, Md.; disch. for disability July 

2, '62 at Newbem, N. C. 
Abraham Barrett, Private; 34; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; wounded 

Apr. 9, '63; re-enlisted Jan. 4, '64. 
William H. Batchelder, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. to Co. D. 
James Battye, Private; 43; Aug. 12, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George A. Beckett, Private; 19; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability Dec. 14, '63. 
Charles F. Blaisdell, Private; 24; Feb. 28, '64; Wobum; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
William Boyle, Private; 23*; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Herman Brackett, Private; 44; Aug. 9, '61 ; Lynn; disch. for disability May 28, '63. 



22 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Hiram Butterfield, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Salem; re-ealisted; transf. to Co. D. 

Michael Buckley, Private; 19; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

James A. Byrne, Private; 37; Dec. 11, '63; Danvers; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 

John F. Carlton, Private; 24; April 30, '61; Saugus; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Patrick Carr, Private; 33; Aug. 4, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability June 23, '63, at New- 

bern, N. C. 
Jeremiah Carroll, Private; 20; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Dennis Cashman, Private; 18; Jan. 18, '64; Danvers; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
John .Chambers, Private; 30; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William Chambers, Private; 24; Aug. 22, '61; Chelsea; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enUsted 

Dec. 4, '63. 
James Clark, Private; 25; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability May 10, '63, at 

Newbern, N. C. 
David Coleman, Private; 44; Aug. 12, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Conway, Private; 30; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph Cooper, Private; 42; Feb. 17, '64; Boston; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. B. 
Patrick Cronin, Private; 31; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph F. Dakin, Private; 27; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. B. re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Charles H. Davis, Private; 21 ; Feb. 2, '64; Andover; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
John Dempsey, Private; 23; May 10, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Henry M. Derx, Private; 17; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Dec. 

26, '63. 
John Desmond, Private; 35; May 10, '61; Salem; wounded Dec. 17, '62; disch. for wounds. 

May 6, '63. 
John Devine, Private; 25; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Au^. 3, '64. 
Peter Devine, Private; 18; Nov. 18, '63; So. Danvers; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 
Edward Duke, Private; 23; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

William H. Eaton, Private; 18; Jan. 13, '64; Lynn; re-enlist. Jan. 13, '64; transf. to New Co.C. 
George E. Famham, Private; 19; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disabUity Nov. 21, '62. 
Robert M. Field, Private; 32; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; wounded Dec. 17, '62; M. O. Aug. 

3, '64. 
Lawrence Fox, Private; 39; May 10, '61 ; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Fraher, Private; 25; Dec. 29, '63; Lynn; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
Thomas Gallagher, Private; 23; May 9, '61; So. Reading; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas Gallagher, Private; 33; July 10, '61; Salem; served in war with Mexico in 1st Reg. 

Mass. Vols.; disch. for disability May 30, '63, at Newbern, N. C. 
Henry Galucia, Private; 21; Oct. 24, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability Dec. 2, '62, at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Perley Galucia, Private; 19; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability July 11, '62. 
Pulaski Galucia, Private; 25; Oct. 15, '61; So. Danvers; disch. Oct. 14, '64, expir. of service. 
Patrick Gaynor, Private; 32; Dec. 30, '63; Fall River; re-enlist, transf. to new organ. 
David Gleason, Private; 41; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; tranusf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. Feb. 

15, '64. 
Martin Goldthwait, Private; 21; Oct. 24, '61; So. Danvers; wounded July 26, '63; disch. 

Oct. 22, '64, expir. of term. 
Aaron Guilford, Private; 23; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlist. 

Dec. 17, '63. 
David B. Hackett, Private; 29; May 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; transf. to Co. E. 
Thomas Hancock, Private; 21; Feb. 15, '64; Chelsea; transf. to New Co. C; enlist, at New- 
bern, N. C. 
John Hart, Private; 18; July 10, '61 ; Salem; re-enlist, transf. to New Co. C. 
Thomas Hartman, Private; 42; July 10, '61; Danvers: disch. for disability Aug. 13, '62. 
ComeUus Harrigan, Private; 18; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



COMPANY B. 23 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Thomas Hessan, Private; 35; Dec. 28, '63; Salisbury; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. B. 

Alfred Hopbirk, Private; 21; May 10, '61; Wenham; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist.Dec.1,'63. 

Stephen Howard, Private; 25; May 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George C. Irish, Private; 26; Dec. 2, '63; Gloucester; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. B. 

Andrew Jackson, Private;22; May 10, '61; Lynn; disch. for disability July 11, '62. 

Albert Jeffers, Private; 42; Jan. 13, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 

George W. Jeffers, Private; IS; Jan. 13, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 

William H. Jeffers; Private; 20; Jan. 13, '64; Lynn; re-enUst; transf. to New Co. C. 

George C. Jeffery, Private; 25; Aug. 20, '61 ; Lynnfield; disch. for disability Apr. 23, '63. 

Alexander Jones, Private; 26; May 10, '61 ; Salem; disch. for disability Dec. 3, '63. 

Andrew Kelly, Private; 28; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; wounded Dec. 17, '62; disch. for disa- 
bility Apr. 2, '63. 

William N. Kenney, Private; 35; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 

Henry L. Larrabee, Private; 21 ; May 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Michael P. Lucy, Private; 24; May 10, '61 ; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John Mahoney, Private; 23; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; deserted Nov. 29, '61. 

Richard Marley, Private; 19; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

James McCarthy, Private; 47; May 10, '61 ; Danvers; disch. for disability Dec. 4, '61. 

John McCormack, Private; 22; Nov. 20, '61 ; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. D. 

Michael McCormick, Private; 21 ; May 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Thomas McDermott, Private; 30; Jan. 2, '64; Chelmsford; re-enUst.; transf. to New Co. B. 

Eneas McDonald, Private; 22; July 10, '61;\Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Charles Mclntire, Private; 18; May 10, '61 ; Salem; disch. for disability Sept. 15, '61. 

George McLellan, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

William B. Moulton, Private; 18; Oct. 19, '61 ; Lynn; transf. to New Co. D. 

Michael Mullaly, Private; 24; May 10, '61; Salem; disch. for disability, Oct. 24, '61. 

James Nolan, Private; 32; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John O'Connell, Private; 19; May 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; disch. for disabiUty May 28, '63. 

Elijah Osborne, Private; 20; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64; 

Patrick O'Shea, Private; 30; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Oliver Parker, Private; 20; Oct. 15, '61 ; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. B. 

Andrew Patten, Private; 38; July 10, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Charles H. Pendexter, Private; 26; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to new Co. G. 

Warren C. Philbrick, Private; 36; Feb. 25, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 

Valentine A. Pickering, Private; 34; Aug. 20, '61; Lynnfield; disch. for disability Sept. 10, '65. 

George Pitman, Private; 34; Aug. 17, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlist. Feb. 
15, '64. 

George Pitman, Jr., Private; 18; Aug. 17, '61 ; Danvers; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Feb. 
25. '64. 

Richard Ricker, Private; 32; May 10, '61 ; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Edward Ring, Private; 34; Dec. 24, '63; Brighton; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 

John Ring, Private; 31 ; May 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

James Roche, Private; 45; May 10, '61; So. Danvers: M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Benjamin F. Rhodes, Private; 23; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Michael Scanlon, Private; 22; May 10, '61 ; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Edward Sheehan, Private; 22; May 10, '61 ; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

William Siner, Private; 43; July 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Henry B. Skinner, Private; 19; Aug. 10, '61 ; So. Danvers; re-enhst.; transf. to New Co. C. 
T)aniel W. Stevens, Private; 26; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Benjamin Stone, Private; 45; July 10, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disabihty Aug. 21, '62- 

Eugene Sulhvan, Private; 27; Aug. 20, '61 ; Lynnfield; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Henry M. Tarbox, Private; 22; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John Thedford, Private; 37; March 9, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C, 



24 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENHOLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Patrick Thiers, Private; 27; May 10, '61 ; Salem; deserted Nov. 29, '61. 

George W. Thomas, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Charies H. Townsend, Private, 18; Oct. 1, '61; So. Dan vers; disch. Sept. 1, '64, expir. of term. 

John H. Tucker, Private; 42; Nov. 19, '61; Salem; transf. to new Co. C. 

Joseph C. Twiss, Private; 46; July 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Joseph C. Twiss, Private; 25; Oct. 29. '61 ; Salem; disch. for disability July 17, '65. 

Jacob H. Very, Private; 21; July 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George H. Whithead, Private, 21 ; Aug. 20, '61 ; Lynn; transf. to E. 

John Whithead, Private; 21; May 10, '61; So. Reading; disch. for disability Sept. 10, '63. 

John S. Winslow, Private; 28; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 

Willard Winslow, Private; 24; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 

Hugh Young, Private; 23; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; re-enlist.; transf. to New Co. C. 



COMPANY ''C," KNOWN AS "DANVERS LIGHT 
INFANTRY." 



(Comrade George F. Putnam now of Lynn contributes the 
following account of the formation of Company "C" of the Seven- 
teenth Regiment.) 

" As is well known, in April, 1861, excitement was high through 
the Northern States on account of the disloyal movements in the 
South, and all who gave thought to the matter could see that a 
conflict between the loyal States and those in secession was im- 
pending. 

"In the little village of Tapleyville, Danvers, was the General 
Scott Fire Engine, with a company of from sixty to seventy young 
men, full of American blood, who did not believe in allowing the 
Southern States to secede from the Union; and when the call came 
for volunteers, fully two-thirds of that company enrolled their 
names at the Danvers Town Hall, where patriotic meetings were 
held almost every night. 

"I and many others enrolled our names on the 19th of April, 
1861, although the State does not give us the credit of enrolling 
until April 22d. We formed the company, others coming in later. 



COMPANY C. 25 

"When we held a meeting for the choice of officers, Nehemiah 
P. Fuller was chosen captain, for the reason that we always 
understood that he was in Walker's expedition against Nicaragua, 
that he therefore knew something about military, was one of our 
boys and was popular. The first lieutenant chosen was W. W. 
Smith. He was captain of the fire company, and a young man 
liked by all. Ruel B. Pray was chosen second lieutenant. 

"After the company was formed we went to drilling and 
marching, to get ready for service in the field. The town, in order 
to keep the company together, obtained grounds in West Glouces- 
ter, where we began camp life, with Adjutant Barnabas N. Mann of 
Chelsea, as drill master, and continued until called upon to form 
a portion of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 
which was being assembled at Camp Schouler, at Lynnfield, 
Company C was one of the first, if not the first, on the field. From 
this time forward the history of Company C is that of the regiment, 
sharing in all its marches, expeditions and battles in North Caro- 
lina. The Adjutant General's report for 1862 gives the following 
account of Company C : 

"The formation of this Corps was commenced in April, 1861, 
and the number rapidly increased, so that the full quota was soon 
obtained. At the same time the ladies were zealously engaged in 
the good work of providing an outfit, which was completed in the 
most generous style, the citizens aiding by large contributions, 
amounting in all for both companies from the town, to $3,000. 

"The outfit for each soldier embraced a cap, jacket, pants, two 
pairs of drawers, two flannel shirts, two pairs of stockings, handker- 
chiefs, one pair of shoes and two havelocks. 

"Captain Fuller was furnished with a sword, sash, dressing- 
case, and an elegant copy of the Bible, the gifts of Miss Catherine 
Putnam of Peterboro, N. H., a native of the town. He was also 
furnished with a pistol, the gift of Augustus Mudge, Esq. The 
other officers were also amply equipped. Each soldier received a 
copy of the New Testament and Psalms, neatly bound together, 
a gift from the Sabbath Schools. A fine national flag, richly 
mounted, was presented to the Company in behalf of the town. 



26 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

" For nearly two months previous to their being incorporated 
as Company C in the Seventeenth Regiment, they occupied their 
time in daily drills under pay from the town. While waiting to be 
designated for service in the army they went into a private camp 
in the town of Gloucester, and thus became accomplished to a rare 
degree in the tactic of military science. They have held the post 
of honor in the regiment on the left, and afterwards on the right. 

"After the regiment arriyed in Baltimore, it was thought best 
by the Colonel that it should have buglers in the right and left 
companies, and Privates George F. Putnam and George E. Moore, 
of Company C, Danvers, were made bugler and fifer of the com- 
pany, which position they held until discharged. Afterwards the 
regiment purchased fifes for these men.' ' 

In the words of Colonel Splaine — "To Company C belongs 
the proud distinction of having furnished no less than twelve 
commissioned officers from among the enlisted men of the com- 
pany, elever having served in their own regiment, while one 
served as captain in a North Carolina Union Volunteer Colored 
Regunent. 

The following is a roster of the officers and enlisted men 
of the Company. 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "C". 

NAME. KANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

NehemiahP. Fuller, Capt.; 31; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to Co. I, Aug. 14, '63. 

William W. Smith, Capt.; 24; July 3, '62; Danvers; transf. from Co. I, Aug. 14, '63 transf. 

to New Co. B. 
William W. Sn ith, 1st Lt.; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers; pro. Capt., assi. to Co. I, July 3, '62. 
Archibald Bogle, 1st Lt.; 23; May 28, '62; Melrose; transf. to Co. A. May 20, '62. 
Thomas R. Keenan, 1st Lt.; 25; April 26, '63; Lynnfield; pro. Capt. 56th Regiment Mar. 

19, '64. 
Rue! B. Pray, 2d Lt.; 24; July 11, '61; Danvers; pro. 1st Lt. Dec. 19, '61, assigned to Co. A. 
ThonasR. I*eenan,2dLt.;24;Feb. 10, '62; Lynnfield; pro. 1st Lt. Apr. 26, '63. 
Philip C. Mason, 2d Lt.; 26; Sept. 25, '62; Newburyport; transf. to Co. A, Jan. 28, '64. 
Joseph A. Moore, 2d Lt.; 20; May 7, '63; Gloucester; transf. to Co. E, July 15, '64. 
Andrew Cook, 1st Sgt.; 29; July 22, '61; Danvers; pro. 2d Lt. Aug. 16, '62. 
Malckm fcillars, 1st Segt.; 23; July 11, '61; So. Danvers; pro. Qm. Sgt. N. C. S. Jan. 5, 

'64; re-enlisted Jan. 4, '64. 
James Smith, Sgt.; 21; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to old Co. I, Dec. 1'62. 
Lewis Cann, Sgt.: 22; July 11, '61; Danvers; pro. 2d Lieut. ApL 26, '62. 
Andrew Cook, Set.; 29; July 11, '61;^Danvers; pro. 2d Lt. Aug. 13, '62; transf. to Co. I,. 

Aug. 30, '62. 



COMPANY C. 27 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

James Inman, Sgt.; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers: pro. 2d Lt., Co. D, Apr. 23, '63. 

Robert Smith, Sgt.; 27; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Charles F. Brown, Corp.; 27; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to old Co. E, Aug. 6, '62. 

George H. Putney, Corp.; 28; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to old Co. E, Aug. 6, '62. 

Isaac Bodwell, Corp.; 38; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Joseph G. Martin, Corp.; 35; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to Co. B.; re-enlisted Feb. 29, '64. 

Malcolm Sillars, Corp.; 23; July 11, '61; So. Danvers; pro. Sgt. 

Nathaniel A. Pope, Corp.; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Timothy Hawkes, Jr., Corp.; 24; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 5, '64; prisoner of war, Plymouth, N. C. Apr. 20, '64. 
David H. Ogden, Corp.; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
David Cook, Corp.; 35; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Apr. 3, '63. 
James Cochran, Corp.; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William Gould, Corp.; 25; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Fred A. Nourse, Corp.; 22; Jan. 14, '62; Marblehead; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Jan. 

2, '64. 
Hiram T. Foster, Musician; 18; July 27, '61; Cambridge; transf. to New Co. B. re-enlisted 

Dec. 9, '63. 
Henry Foster, Musician; 16; July 27, '61; Cambridge; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Feb. 18, '64. 
Uriah Robertson, Wagoner; 26; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to Co. E, Aug. 6, '62. 
Lucius P. Barnes, Private; 24; Aug. 21, '62; HoUiston; disch. for disability Apr. 23, '63, at 

Newbem, N. C. 
Samuel D. Benson, Private; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Sept. 11, '61. 
Alden Bradford, Private; 21; Aug. 15, '62; Boston; Aug. 3, '64, expir. of service. 
Henry Bradford, Private; 27; Aug. 26, '62; Charlestown; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '63. 
Charles A. Burchstead, Private; 22; July 11, '61; D.anvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph N. Burchstead, Private; 29; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Sept. 5, 62. 
Warren A. Burpee, Private; 30; Dec. 29, '63; Gloucester; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
James H. Burrows, Private; 25; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; d. Dec. 16, '61, at Drummondton, Va. 
Thomas Caine, Private; 33; Feb. 25, '64; Amesbury; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
Simeon Coffin, Private; 21; July 11, '61; Danvers; d. Dec. 25, '61, at Baltimore, Md. 
George W. Coleman, Private; 25; Nov. 10, '63; Boston; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
Francis D. Crane, Private: 26; July 11, '61; Middleton; disch. for disabiUty Sept. 27, '62. 
William R. Crawford, Private; 19; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Dec. 9, '63. 
William H. Croft, Private; 17; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; killed .\pr. 27, '64, at Washington, N.C. 
John L. Cunningham, Private; 31; Aug. 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 4, '64. 
Theodore Curtis, Private; 30; Dec. 3, '63; Saugus; transf. to New Co. C. 
WilUam D. Curtis, Private; 18; Dec. 3, '63; Saugus; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
John Daley, Private; 35; July 16, '62; Boston; disch. Nov. 25, '62; rejected recruit at New- 
bem, N. C. 
James W. Dickie, Private; 19; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Jan. 16, '63. 
George H. Dole, Private; 28; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Dec. 

1, '63. 
Samuel W. Durgin, Private; 22; July 11, '61; Danvers.; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles M. Eagan, Private; 19; Nov. 30, '63; Maiden; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Mar. 26, '64: 

No. of grave, 171. 
George W. Elliott, Private; 22; July 22, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability -\-pr. 24, '63, 

at Newbem, N. C. 
George Fish, Private; 43; Aug. 22, '62; Holliston; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlis' Jan. 5,'64. 
George W. Flint, Private; 18; Dec. 31, '63; So. Danvers; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
Justin Flint, Private; 21; July 11, '61; Middleton; d. Oct. 30, '61, Baltimore, Md. 



28 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OK CREDIT. 

Warren A. Flint, Private; 44; Dec. 31, '6-3; So. Danvers; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
Richard W. Fuller, Private; 19; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Dec. 7, '63. 
George H. Goss, Private; 18; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joshua Goss, Private; 43; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Dec. 4, '62. 
John Graham, Private; 31; Feb. 10, '62; Chelsea; transf. to Co. D. 
William Green, Private; 19; Feb. 14, '64; Mendon; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
Samuel D. Gregory, Private; 16; Sept. 24, '62; BelUngham; transf. from Co. H, 42d M. V. M. 

M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Robert Grey, Private; 22; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; disch. Mar. 4, '63. 
Robert B. Haggerty, Private; July 11, '61; Lynnfield; deserted Aug. 20, '61. 
James Harnay, Private; 21; Sept. 5, '62; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
WiUiam Harris, Private; 42; Oct. 13, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Rufus Hart, Private; 26; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Sept. 18, '63. 
Charles Hartman, Private; 18; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 4, '64. 
Thomas Hartman, Jr., Private; 19; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Apr. 24, '63. 
Timothy Hawkes, Private; 44; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Sept. 12, '62, at 

Newbem, N. C. 
Harry K. Herman, Private; 19; Jan. 26, '64; Boston; transf. to New Co. E, from 1st Bat. 

L. Art. 
Robert Hill, Private; 10; July 11, '61; Rockport; dLsch. for disabiUty Sept. 2, '62. 
James A. Holt. Private; 31; Dec. 9, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Sept. 12, '62. 
Daniel A. Hyde, Private; 38; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability May 10, '63. 
Henry G. Hyde, Private; 19; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to old Co. G, July 1, '63. 
Thomas Hynde, Private; 41; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Kearney, Private; 35; Oct. 13, '62; Waltham; transf. from Co. I, 45th M. V. M.; 

M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas Kelley, Private; 25; Feb. 10, '62; Roxbury; transf. to New Co. C. 
Andrew Kelley, Private; 40; Aug. 16, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Sept. 18, '62. 
John Kelley, Private; 35; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Jackson Kennedy, Private; 31; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Ezra D. Kimball, Private; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '62. 
Michael Kirby, Private; 21; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '62. 
Henry H. Lane, Private; 21; Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; disch.; rejected recruit Nov. 25, '62. 
David P. Lang, Private; 24; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Luther E. Lawton, Private; 31; Aug. 23, '62; Maiden; Aug. 3, '64, e.xpir. of service. 
Joseph Leavitt, Private; 42; Nov. 22, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Apr. 24, '63. 
James Lee, Private; 22; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

William Lovejoy, Private; 44; Aug. 22, '62; Holliston; rejected recruited; disch. Nov. 25, '62. 
Darling Lowe, Private; 42; Aug. 18, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability Sept. 5, '62. 
James E. Lowell, Private; 22; July 11, '61; Danvers; d. Feb. 11, '62, at Baltimore, Md. 
George H. Mabee, Private: 24; .Sec. 3, '63; Roxbury; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 
Dennis Mahoney, Private; 27; Nov. 22, '61; Boston; transf. to New Co. C. 
Melville Maley, Private; 18; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
David Matheson, Private; 35; July 11, '61; Lynnfield; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John McCreary, Private; 36; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Alba McKay, Private; 22; Aug. 22, '62; Holliston; rejected recruit; disch. Nov. 25, '63. 
Alexander Moir, Private; 43; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; disch. for disability Apr. 24, '63. 
Jonas S. Monroe, Private; 30; July 11, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Feb. 22, '64. 
George E. Moore, Private; 24; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Moore, Private; 23; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Jan. 4, '64. 
John K. Moore, Private; 31; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability June 15, '62. 



COMPANY C. 29 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Lewis D. Moore, Private; 18; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. Mar. 12, '62. 

John B. Moores, Private; 26; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. Co. G; re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Estwick E. Morrill, Private; 27; Aug. 22, '61; Salisbury; disch. for disability Sept. 7, '61. 

Archibald Morrison, Private; 25; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George H. Moulton, Private; 28; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Andrew Mullen (also known as Millen), Private; 24; May 1, '62; Boston; transf. to New Co. 
B.; re-enlisted Jan. 1, '64. 

John Mundie, Private; 27; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Owen Murphy, Private; 23; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

WilUam J. Murphy, Private; 27; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Martin Murray, Private; 20; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Thomas A. Musgrave, Private; July 11, '61; Lynnfield; d. July 1861, at Lynnfield, Mass. 

Edward North, Private; 19; Jan. 21, '62; Danvers; disch. for disability Jan. 31, '63. 

Fred A. Nourse, Private; 22; Jan. 14, '62; Marblehead; transf. to New Co. B. 

Allen Nourse, Private; 21 ; July 11, '61; Danvers; re-enlisted; transf. to Co. E. 

James Nulty, Private; 18; Dec. 31, '63; Amesbury; re-enUsted; transf. to New Co. C. 

William H. Ogden, Private; 21; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enUsted 
Jan. 1, '64. 

Hugh E. Peabody, Private; 27; Sept. 19, '62; Lynn; transf. from Co. F, Sth M. V. M., 9 
months' troops, M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

David Pettengill, Private; 31; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Richard Poor, Private; 19; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Oct. 30, '61. 

Richard Poore, Private; 19; Jan. 3, '62; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Feb. 25, '62; at Balti- 
more, Md. 

James M. Powers, Private; 32; Dec. 22, '62; Medford; transf. to New Co. D, as pris. of war. 

James Prince, Private; 29; Oct. 28, '61; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Nob. 17, '61; at Balti- 
more, Md. 

Charles Putnam, Private; 21; Apr. 29, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George F. Putnam, Private; 23; July 10, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John E. Quinn, Private; 21; Dec. 31, '63; Boston; transf. to New Co. D, as pris. of war. 

Milton Raddin, Private; 18; Dec. 31, '63; So. Danvers; re-enUsted; transf. to New Co. C. 

"WilUam Reynolds, Private; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 6, '63. 

Michael Riley, Private; 30; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Oct. 2, '63. 

John A. Roberts, Private; 18; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Aug. 3, '62. 

WilUam B. Sargent, Private; 37; Oct. 22, '62; Boston; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enUsted 
Jan. 1, '64. 

Frank Scampton, Private; 39; July 11, '61; Danvers; d. Aug. 29, '62; at Danvers, Mass. 

George Scampton, Private; 32; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 6, '63. 

Patrick Sexton, Private :20; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co.B.;re-enlisted Jan. 1,'64. 

John Shackley, Private; 33; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; disch. for disability Feb. 1, '63. 

Alvin C. Shaw, Private; July 11, '61; Lynnfield; deserted Aug. 20, '61. 

Joseph E. Shaw, Private; 18; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

WilUam Sillars, Private; 20; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; d. Jan. 4, '62, at Baltimore, Md. 

Daniel Smith, Private; 28; July 11, '61; Danvers; d. Sept. 27, '62, at Newbem, N. C. 

PhiUp SulUvan, Private; 20; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Eldridge A. Stiles, Private; 23; July 11, '61; Middleton, disch. for disability Sept. 12, '62. 

James H. Stuart, Private; 27; Oct. 14, '62; Boston; pro. Sgt. Maj. July 1, '64; re-enlisted 
Jan. 1, '64. 

Jeremiah Toomey, Private; 21; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Patrick Toomey, Private; 23; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Patrick Toomey, Private; 25; Dec. 23, '63; Wobum; re-enlisted; transf. to New Co. C. 

Patrick Trainer, Private; 19; July 11, '61; Danvers; d. Dec. 24, '61, at Baltimore, Md. 

Ezra W. Watson, Private; 24; July 11, *61; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Dec. 4, '62. 

Charles F. Wells, Private; 18; Oct. 21, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enUsted Feb. 
18, '64. 



30 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. EANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Edward F. Wells, Private; 32; Aug. 16, '61; Daavers; disch. for disability Apr. 6, '6.3. 
Edwin G. Wells, Private; 18; Oct. 21, '61; Danvers; disch. expir. of service Oct. 20, '64. 
John F. Wells, Private; 24; July 11, '61; Danvers; traasf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Jan. 1, 

'64. 
Henry R. Wiggin, Private; 43; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Jan. 16, '63. 
Calvin W. Wiggin, Private; 49; Nov. 28, '63; Medford; transf. to Co. D, as absent pris. of war. 
Joseph F. Wiggin, Private; 18; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Mar. 11, '63. 
Calvin W. Willis, Private; 49; Nov. 28, '63; Medford; transf. to Co. I; d. in rebel prison July 

17, '64. 
George C. Wilson, Private; 18; July 11, '61 ; Danvers; transf. to Co. B. ; re-enlisted Jan. 4, '64. 
Edmund Woodward, Private; 24; July 14, '63; Lawrence; transf. to New Co. C. 
James F. Woodward, Private; 23; July 11, '61 ; So. Danvers; disch. for disability Oct. 2, '63. 
Frederick Wright, Private; 28; July 11, '61; Danvers; disch. for disability Dec. 9, '61, at 

Baltimore, Md. 



COMPANY "D," SALISBURY. 



"WALLACE GUARDS. 

(The following account of Company "D" is taken from the 
Massachusetts Register and Mihtary Record of 1862.) 

This company was organized on May 7, 1861. Having re- 
ceived arms from the State Arsenal, it commenced drill in good 
earnest under the efficient instruction of Mr. E. P. Stanwood of 
West Newbury. For four or five weeks the members performed 
no other labors than that which pertained to the perfecting of the 
company in the manual of arms, military evolutions and the march. 

The uniform of the company consisted of a dark gray frock 
coat, pants and cap. The ladies made up the uniforms from the 
cloth purchased by the town and committee of citizens. Ready 
as it now was for the field, a disappointment awaited it, for the 
Governor had not assigned the company to either of the camp 
regiments ordered by the legislature. Some of the members, 
however, determined not to be diverted from their original pur- 
pose of going to war, scattered among other companies already 



COMPANY D. 31 

ordered into regiments. Twenty-five members, with the first, 
third and fourth heutenants, united with the National Guards of 
Newburyport, which joined the Mozart Regiment, then stationed 
at Yonkers, N. Y.; and others connected themselves with the 
West Newbury Rifle Company and West Amesbury Mechanic 
Infantry, until the members were reduced to about thirty. Yet 
these thirty continued the organization, w^hen on the 11th of July, 
the company was ordered into camp at Lynnfield, as Company 

D, Essex County Regiment 17th. Again it recruited to army 
standard. 

The company derived its name, "Wallace Guards," from Mr. 

E. P. Wallace of Sahsbury — a young mechanic of limited means, 
but generous patriotism, who gave the company, at its organiza- 
tion, one hundred dollars. Mr. Wallace also sent the following 
note to the Secretary of the Treasury, and "its tone of earnest, 
hearty patriotism makes it worthy of being printed in letters of 
gold." 

"T am a shoemaker of limited means, but I want to lend the 
government this hundred dollars to assist a little in maintenance 
of its authority — its existence. 

"The reason I send it to you rather than invest it here is that 
I want to give 'Uncle Sam' all the profit, and I don't want any 
interest on it. All that I want is that you should send me a govern- 
ment note promising to pay me or bearer $100 on demand, any 
time after the 29th of August, without interest. If times are hard 
with the government then, I will make a goodly abatement from 
this. If you are not empowered to invest the money in this way, 
invest it in the next way that will be most profitable to the govern- 
ment. 

"Long life to Uncle Sam. 

"May the blessings of God make your efforts to save our 
beloved country successful. 

"P. S. An early return will prevent apprehension that this 
did not reach you. Physical disability alone prevents my assisting 
as a volunteer." 



32 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

As the government could not receive the money on the terms 
of the letter, it issued to the author the first 7.3 per centum 
treasury note. 

The town of Salisbury expended $1100, and the citizens $700, 
for the outfit and comfort of the company in the preparation for 
field service. This expenditure does not include what the town 
paid for monthly bounty and the maintenance of the families of 
volunteers. 

Of the patriotic acts of Mr. E. P. Wallace, Comrade C. E. 
Flanders of Co. D, writes, in addition to the information above 
given : 

"You will note he subscribed one hundred dollars for the 
company, and he helped some of the married men of the company 
while awaiting marching orders, of which no mention has ever been 
made. Besides the hundred dollars he loaned the government, 
later, when men were needed, he offered to give any man seventy- 
five dollars who would go as a substitute for him. It was accepted 
by Frank Cammett, who was killed at Brown's Ferry, Tenn. 
Later, on hearing that an officer with only one leg was serving in 
the army, he went to Boston to a recruiting office and tried to 
enlist, and I heard he offered his services for nothing if they would 
take him, but was told that the reason that this officer was retained 
was that he had lost his leg while in the service, but they could only 
enlist sound men. He then asked if the governor could not inter- 
cede for him, but was told that he had no power in the matter. 
Is it any wonder that this company was proud to bear his name, 
and that the returned veterans should give his name to their post, 
the E. P. Wallace Post 122, G. A. R. of Sahsbury? He is still 
living, hale and hearty, at over three-score years and ten, and 
is often seen upon the street in his three-wheel wagon, propelled by 
his hands, and is loved and most sincerely respected by all classes, 
rich and poor alike.' ' 

The following is a roster of the company : 



COMPANY D. 33 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "D." 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

GoergeH.Morrell, Capt.;29; Apr. 27, '61; Salisbury; resignedJan. 28, '61. 

Levi P. Thompson, Capt.; 33; Jan. 9. '62; Cambridge; d. Sept. 20, '62. 

Ivory N. Richardson, Capt.; 23; Sept. 25, '62; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Jere A. Greeley, 1st Lt.; 27; April 27, '61 ; Salisbury; resigned and hon. disch., July 20, ' 63. 

BamabasN. Mann, 1st Lt.; 36; Aug. 22, '61; Chelsea; transf. to Co. K, Nov. 7, '63. 

Henry A. Cheever, 1st Lt.; 23; Feb. 20, '62; Chelsea; appointed Reg. Adj. Nov. 25, '62. 

Thomas F. Newton, 1st Lt.; 34; July 3, '63; Haverhill; transf. to Co. H. 

Benjamin F. Chesley, 2d Lt.; 22; July 12, '61; Haverhill; resigned Dec. 27, '61. 

Linus B. Comins, Jr., 2d Lt.; 19; Apr. 5, '62; Roxbury; transf. to Co. I, May 19, '63. 

Henry T. Merrill, 2d Lt.; 25; July 3, '62; Haverhill; resigned May 11, '63. 

Charles O. Fellows, 2d Lt.; 19; Aug. 31, '62; Chelsea; transf. to Co. A, Aug. 30, '62. 

James Inman, 2d Lt.; 25; Apr. 26, '63; Danvers; transf. to Co. H, June 19, '64. 

George I. Flanders, 1st Sgt.; 28; Aug. 10, '61; Lynn; disch. for disability Dec. 15, '61. 

Leonard W. Phillips, 1st Sgt.; 23; Jan. 25, '62; Bradford; transf. to new Co. D. 

Thomas F. Newton, Sgt.; 32; July 12, '61; Haverhill; pro. 2d Lt. Dec. 11, '62; transf. to Co.H. 

William O. Coffin, Sgt.; 27; Apr. 27, '61; Amesbury; disch. for disability July 26, '62. 

Simon F. Blake, Sgt.; 33; Apr. 27, '61; Salisbury; disch. for disability April 26, '62. 

John G. Cowan, Sgt.; 18; July 22, '61; Salisbury; transf. to New Co.; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 

Edward H. Emerson, Sgt.; 21; Feb. 14, '62; Boston; d. at Sandown, N. H., Nov. 17, '63. 

Edwin A. Moulton, Sgt.; 21; Apr. 27, '61; Amesbury; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Jan. 

4, '64. 
Ariel S. Noyes, Sgt.; 32; Feb. 5, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Feb. 16, '64. 
Brotherton Martin, Sgt.; 21; Aug. 22, '61; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. 

Dec. 4, '63. 
George Briggs, Corp.; 18; Apr. 27, '61; Amesbury; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Wingate Morse, Corp.; 20; July 11, '61 ; Amesbury; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Theophilus Sanborn, Corp.; 32; Apr. 27, '61; Salisbury; transf. to Co. I, absent pris. of war; 

re-enlist. Dec. 4, '63 ; transf. from Co. C to Co. D. 
Cyrus E. Kendrick, Corp.; 31 ; Apr. 27, '61 ; Amesbury; disch. for disability May 28, '63. 
Augustus B. Flanders, Corp.; 20; Aug. 20, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George H. Lang, Corp.; 34; Apr. 27, '61 ; Amesbury; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '63. 
Frank B. Poison, Corp.; 18; March. 4, '62; Lowell; transf. from Co. C to Co. D; transf. 

to New Co. D; re-enlist. Jan. 4, '64. 
Solomon Martin, Corj).; 18; Aug. 7, '61; Newburyport; transf. from Co. C to Co. D; transf. 

to New Co. D. ; re-enlist. Jan 4, '64 
Charles E. Wells, Corp.; 19; Feb. 28, '62; Haverhill; wounded Dec. 17, '62; transf. to New Co. 

D. 
Edgar A. Parker, Corp.; 25; Nov 2, '61; Haverhill; transf. from Co. A to Co. D; transf. to 

New Co. D. 
John B. Pecker, Corp.; 22; March 10, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability June 28, '64. 
Hiram P. Tuxbury, Musician; 27; July 12, '61 ; Newton; deserted Aug. 6, '61 ; 
Samuel O. Pierce, Musician; 16; Oct. 23, '61 ; Boston; disch. for disability Jan. 17, '62. 
Clarence O. Woodman, Musician; 16; Oct. 26, '61; Lynn; drowned May 26, '63 at Newbeme, 

N.C. 
John W. Twitchell, Musician: 21; Feb. 3, '62; Chelsea; transf. from Co. C to Co. D; transf. 

to Co. H as absent pris. of war; re-enlist. Jan. 1, '64. 
Samuel Whittaker, Musician; 25; Feb. 12, '62; Boston; transf. from Co. C. io Co. D; transf 

to New Co. absent pris. of war; re-enlist. Jan 1, '64. 
Charles M. Goldwaith, Wagoner: 22; July 12, '61; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty May 31, '62. 



34 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Thomas A. Arnold, Private; 27; July 12, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Horace Baldwin, Private; 42; Nov. 15, '61; Lynn; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 
Michael J. Barrett, Private; 34; Jan. 24, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Feb. 15, '62. 
William H. Batcheller, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. from Co. B to Co. D; transf. 

toCo. H. Sept. 2,'62. 
John M. Bemis, Private; 38; Aug. 6, '62; Maiden; disch. for disablity Jan. 30, '63. 
Charles H Blake, Private; 18; Dec. 31, '61; Salisbury; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 

5. '64. 
John K. Blodgett, Private; 31; Feb. 4, '62; Boston; disch. for disablitiy Dec. 9, '62. 
Elbridge Boardman, Private; 22; July 12, '61; Haverhill; deserted Aug. 20, '61. 
Job Booth, Private; 25; July 28, '62; Salisbury; d. at Washington, D. C, Sept. 16, '62. 
Peter Boylan, Private; 22; Aug. 8, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Brown, Private; 18; July 12, '61; Salisbury; d. July 1, '62, at Newberne, N. C. 
Hiram Butterfield, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. from Co. B; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Daniel Cammett, Private ; 27 ; April 27, '61 ; Amesbury ; d. Aug. 2, '64 at Salisbury, M x? 3. 
Joseph Campbell, Private; 28; Dec. 5, '61 ; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. D. 
William H. Campbell, Private; 31 ; Jan. 31, '62; Chelsea; transf. to New Co. D. 
Edward Capen, Private; 23; Jan. 24, '62; Cambridge; deserted Jan. '62. 
John A. Clement, Private; 28; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 10, '63. 
Reuben H. Coffin, Private; 29; Jan. 27, '62; Danvers; transf. to New Co. D. 
John C. Cogswell, Private; 22; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas W. Colby, Private; 20; Aug. 11, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Dec. 8, '63. 
Jesse S. Currier, Private; 47; July 22, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
JuUus C. Currier, Private; 24; Apr. 27, '61; Newton, N. H.; deserted Aug. 13, '61. 
RandaU B. Curtis, Private; 23; Apr. 27, '61; Amesbury; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Hubbard M. Delano, Private; 31; Jan. 13, '62; Lynn; disch. for disability Apr. 25, '63. 
Edward Dorsey, Private; 22; Apr. 27, '61 ; Amesbury; disch. for disability Nov. 6, '61. 
James M. Durgin, Private; 26; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; disch. rej. recruit Oct. 27, '62. 
PhilUp Dwinnells, Private; 27; July 12, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
WiUiam Dwinnells, Private; 24; July 12, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George W. Eaton, Private,; 18; Aug. 11, '62; Bradford; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James T. Ewer, Private; 19; Aug. 11, '62; Boston; d. Sept. 15, '63 at Moorehead City, N. C. 
Frank H. Failey, Private; 23; Aug. 19, '62; Boston; transf. Aug. 1, '63 to U. S. signal corps. 
Frank Fays, Private; 18; Aug. 3, '61 ; Charlestown; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 
Michael Fenton, Private; 34; March 10, '62; Quincy; disch. for disability May 9, '63. 
James Timerty, Private; 23; Feb. 15, '62; Danvers; transf. to New Co. 
Charles E. Flanders, Private; 18; July 12, '61; Salisbury; transf. to New Co. F; re-enlist. 

Dec. 7, '63. 
Francis C. Flanders, Private; 25; July 12, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 7, '61. 
Henry G. Flanders, Private; 18; July 22, '61; Lynn; transf. to New Co. A; re-enUst. Feb. 16, 

'64. 
Edward Foley, Private; 35; Feb. 10, '62; Roxbury; disch. for disability May 3, '62. 
Frank Foote, Private; 28; Apr. 27, '61 ; Amesbury; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 22, '63. 
Horace K. Ford, Private; 31; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Peter Foster, Private; 29; Jan. 27, '62; Chelsea; no further record in Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Davis French, Private; 27; Apr. 27, '61; Salisbury; d. May 28, '62, at Newbern, N. C. 
Benjamin Y. Gammon, Private; 33; Aug. 19, '62; Seekonk; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James H. Garrigan, Private; 24; Aug. 7, '62; Cambridge; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Gilleland, Private; 35; January 2, '64; Lawrence; Capt. Feb. 1, '64; transf. to New 

Co. H as prisoner of war. 
WilUam H. Gladding, Private; 18; Aug. 19, '62; Seekonk; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Goodwin, Private; 19; Aug. 4, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles P. Goss, Private; 20; July 12, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Loring Graves, Private; 35; Mar. 26, '62; Chicopee; transf. to New Co. D. 



COMPANY D. 35 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Michael Guynan, Private; 35; Feb. 10, '62; Fall River; transf. to New Co. D. 

Andrew J. Haynes, Private; 24; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability June 22, '63. 

Alonzo Hobbs, Private; 38; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability June 11, '63. 

William Howard, Private; 18; Aug. 7, '61; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

James J. Hurley, Private; 22; Feb. 24, '62; Lowell; d. Oct. 4, '63, at Newbern, N. C. 

William Jenness, Private; 20 Feb. 12, '62; Maiden; disch. for disability Dec. 4, '62. 

George O. Jewett, Private; 24; Mar. 25, '62; Boston; transf. to V. R. C. Feb. 1, '64. 

Cyrus B. Jones, Private; 23; July 15, '61 ; Boston; disch. for disability Jan. 30, '63. 

Enoch H. Kenrick, Private; 42; Nov. 11, '61; Amesbury; disch. for disability Sept. 4, '62. 

Charles W. Kimball, Private; 39; Aug. 7, '61; Haverhill; transf. to Co. E. 

Jeremiah I. Lee, Private; 21; Mar. 10, '62; Boston; transf. to New Co. D. 

Charles H. Lord, Private; 31; July 23, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 11, '63. 

David B. Lowe, Private; 22; Feb. 10, '62; Gloucester; transf. to New Co. C. 

George H. Lundburg, Private; 21; Apr. 27, '61; Salisbury; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George F. Mann, Private; 21 ; Aug. 19, '62; Holliston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

James Marchant, Private; 27; July 12, '61; Amesbury; deserted Jan. 1, '62. 

Alvin Marsh, Private; 18; July 12, '61; Amesbury, deserted Aug. 13, '61. 

James J. McCormich, Private; 22; Jan. 28, '62; Lynn; transf. to New Co. C. 

Dominick McDavitt, Private; 31 ; Feb. 15, '62 ; Danvers; transf. to New Co. D. 

Samuel McLaughlin, Private; 26; Aug. 15, '62; Amesbury; disch. for disability Dec. 17, '63. 

John McMann, Private; 24; Feb. 3, '62; Boston; transf. to New Co. D. 

William McWilliams, Private; 32; Apr. 27, '61; Amesbury; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 

8. '64; grave. No. 5194. 
Timothy Meaney, Private; 29; Mar. 12, '62; Abington; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Mar. 30, '64. 
William N. Merriam, Private; 38; Jan. 31, '62; Chelsea; d. at Andersonville, Ga., May 24, 

'64; grave No. 1358. 
James L. Merrill, Private; 22; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; transf. Aug. 1, '63; to U. S. Sig. Corps. 
Estrick Morrill, Private; 27; Aug. 22, '61; Salisbury; disch. for disability Sept. 7, '61. 
Charles Murphy, Private; 29; Feb. 27, '62; Cambridge; transf. to Co. H, absent pris. of war. 
James Murphy, Private; 22; Aug. 15, '62; Amesbury; disch. for disability Jan. 1, '64. 
William Murphy, Private; 35; Feb. 11, '62; So. Boston; disch. for disability May 5, '62. 
David Noble, Private; 29; Nov. 11, '61; Maiden; d. in Andersonville, Ga., May 22, '64; No. 

of Grave 1282. 
Henry Norris, Private; 35; Dec. 29, '63; Fall River; pris. of war Feb. 1, '64 to Apr. 28, '65; 

transf. to Co. I, on paper; disch. June 30, '65. 
Jospeh H. Osgood, Private; 33; July 22, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability June 11, '63. 
William H. Paisley, Private; 30; July 12, '61; SaEsbury; transf. to New Co. C, pris. of war; 

captur. pris. Feb. 1, '64; re-enUsted Jan. 5. '64. 
Joseph B. Palmer, Private; 32; Feb. 5, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 4, '63. 
Frank B. Poison, Private; 18; Mar.4,'62; Lowell; transf. to New Co. D.; re-enlist.Jan. 4, '64. 
Charles L. Ramsdell, Private; 26; Apr. 27, '61; Salisbury; July 25, '62; disch. for disability. 
Charles T. Rich, Private; 19; Jan. 29, '62; Salisbury; disch. (rejected recruit) Oct. 27, '62. 
John P. Richardson, Private; 20; Aug. 8, '62; Maiden; transf. to New Co. A. 
Henry H. Robbins, Private; 35; Jan. 31, '62; Lynn; transf to New Co. D. 
William P. Russell, Private; 25; Aug. 7, '61 ; Newburyport; disch. for disability July 22, '62. 
Charles A. Sargent, Private; 18; Dec. 9, '61; Haverhill; disch. Feb. 7, '63 for disability. 
William Shaw, Private; 43; July 22, '61 ; Salisbury; disch. for disabiUty Jan. 5, '63. 
Thomas J. Shea, Private; 26; Feb. 21, '62; Danvers; disch. for disability Apr. 14, '63. 
Eabud Simonds, Private; 35; Feb. 10, '62; Chelsea; d. at Andersonville, Ga., July 10, '64; 

grave No. 1458. 
John A. Smeadburg, Private; 18; Aug. 14, '61; Gloucester; transf. to Co. I (on paper); has 

been a prisoner of war; re-enUsted Dec. 4, '63. M. O. June 20, '65. 
Lafayette Stiles, Private; 31; Feb. 10, '62; Gilead, Maine; disch. for disability Apr. 25, '62. 



36 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Fred J. Stone, Private; 26; July 22, '61; Salisbury; disch. for disability Aug. 4, '63. 

Richard M. Tandy, Private; 34; Feb. 6, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disabiUty Feb. 21, '63. 

Nathan J. Thorns, Private; 43; Feb. 15, '62; Saugus ; transf. to New Co. D. 

Russell S. Tibbetts, Private; 35; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George Upton, Private; 22; July 22, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability Aug. 4, '61. 

Samuel Usher, Private; 27; July 12, '61; Amesbury; re-enlisted Dec. 7, '63; d. in Anderson- 

ville, Ga.; Sept. 22, '64; grave No. 9517. 
William Webb, Private; 27; July 12, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Apr. 24, '62. 
Job R. Wells, Private; 28; Aug. 11, '62; SaUsbury; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Francis Whittier, Private; 18; July 12, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlisted 

Dec. 18, '63. 
James Wicks, Private; 23; July 12, '61 ; Amesbury; transf. to Co. H. 

Edward S. Willey, Private; 24; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 10, '63. 
Charles D. Williams, Private; 37; May 13, '64: Boston; transf. to New Co. D. 
Artemus Wilson, Private; 34; Feb. 10, '62; Danvers; transf. to New Co. D. 
Charles O. Witham, Private; 27; July 12, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 11, '61. 
Charles F. York, Private; 18; July 12, '61; Amesbury; disch. for disabilty Oct. 2, '61. 
John S. York, Private; 36; Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 10, '63. 



COMPANY "E" OF HAVERHILL. 



(This company was recruited in Haverhill. The circum- 
stances under which it was formed are thus stated by one of the 
leading spirits in its formation, who afterwards became regimental 
commander, and whose service in the Seventeenth Regiment was 
both meritorious and conspicuous.) 

The attack on the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment in Balti- 
more, following somewhat closely upon the firing on the steamer, 
"Star of the West" and Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, 
S. C, in April, 1861, roused all classes in Haverhill, as it did in 
other sections of Massachusetts, to the belief that a war between 
the rebellious and loj^al States was inevitable, and Irish citizens 
and Irish-American boys thought they were no less patriotic than 
the other men and boys of the town. So they determined to 
organize a military company, and offer the services of the same 
to Governor Andrew to aid in putting down the rebellion. 

A meeting of this class of young men was called for the second 
night after the firing on the Sixth Regiment in Baltimore, in the 



COMPANY E. 37 

old Town Hall. The meeting was presided over by the Hon. 
James H. Duncan, and was largely attended. Patriotic speeches 
were made by Mr. Duncan and others, and enthusiasm ran high. 
After the speakers had finished, a call for signers of recruiting 
papers was made, but the young men being modest, it was diffi- 
cult to start work. Finally, Mr. Henry Splaine said that, as some 
one must sign first, and as every one knew that he was not aspiring 
to leadership, he saw no harm being the first to sign. Before the 
close of the meeting that night a full company had signed the 
roster. 

The company at once established headquarters on Water 
Street, and subsequently went into quarters in the old hat shop 
near the Boston & Maine depot. It drilled under several instruct- 
ors for about two weeks, when an election of officers was ordered 
by Governor Andrews, Col. Lyman Dike of Stoneham, presiding. 
Speeches were made by Colonel Dike and others, and great enthu- 
siasm prevailed. Prominent men of the town were present to 
encourage the boys. There were several candidates for the various 
positions to be filled, and the boys in the ranks earnestly supported 
their favorites for all the offices to be filled. 

Michael C. McNamara was elected captain, Henry Splaine, 
first Heutenant, James Moroney, second lieutenant; James Splaine, 
third lieutenant and Joseph G. Kelley, fourth lieutenant. 

(As only two lieutenants were allowed to each company by 
order of the War Department, the third and fourth lieutenants 
had to be dropped. Lieutenant Moroney in writing of this and 
other matters connected with the organization of Company E, 
says: "When the four elected officers were notified to appear at 
the State House for examination, it came to James Splaine's 
turn to be examined. One of the officers on the board put the 
question to him: 'Suppose, after you get out to the seat of war, 
there were to be only two lieutenants allowed, what would you do?' 
As quick as a flash he made reply : 'Sir, I would take a musket and 
go into the ranks.' The officer was much pleased at his quick 
response, and told him he thought that he would be all right, and 
he was all right, for he afterwards made one of the best officers in 
the regiment.") 



38 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Day after day the company drilled, sometimes on the street, 
in the barracks, and at times in the fields about Haverhill and 
Bradford. The officers of the company made application to the 
governor for arms, for the purpose of learning the use of them, 
but His Excellency was constrained to say that arms could not 
then be furnished, but advised the men to drill and drill, and if 
nothing better could be done to drill with bean-poles. 

Shortly after this, the company received orders to report at 
Long Island, in Boston Harbor, to form part of the Fourteenth 
Infantry Regiment, which was then being recruited and drilled 
on that island, and there it was given a company designation. 
They reached the island about the middle of May, 1861 . 

About this time, the officers of many regiments then recruit- 
ing were called before a board of examiners at the State House, 
which resulted in the dropping of all third and fourth lieutenants. 
Third lieutenant James Splaine became orderly sergeant, and 
fourth heutenant Joseph G. Kelley became a private. Later on 
in the service, James Splaine became successively second lieutenant, 
first heutenant and captain, while fourth lieutenant Joseph G. 
Kelley became sergeant and afterwards second lieutenant. 

The company did good work on Long Island, and became 
quite proficient in drill and discipline. It was a fine body of men, 
and officers and men got along harmoniously. Several weeks were 
spent on the island and it was drill, drill, nearly all the time. 
But one day there came an order to fill up the 13th, which had be- 
come the 9th regiment. Many attempts were made to coax men 
from Company E into the Ninth Regiment, and some not very 
creditable agencies were employed to throw Lieutenant Splaine 
out and take Captain McNamara into the Ninth with his company, 
the latter to be a heutenant . The boys stood by their promise when 
they left Haverhill to go as a company or not at all. The entire 
company returned to Haverhill upon the disbanding of the Four- 
teenth Regiment, and broke ranks in front of the old Town Hall. 

About the middle of June, Captam McNamara received 
orders to recruit the company again, and to go into quarters, a 
place on Fleet Street being provided for sheltering the men. It 
was drill and drill again until early in July, when the company 



COMPANY E. 39 

was ordered to report at Lyimfield, July 10, and become Company 
E of the Seventeenth Regiment, to which it was attached during 
its three years of service in the Union Army. It was mustered 
into service at Camp Schouler, Lynnfield, July 22, and proceeded 
to the seat of war August 23, 1861, reaching Baltimore, Md., 
August 25, 1861. 

The record of Company E is a respectable and a brave one, 
many of the men and some of the officers filling high and honor- 
able positions during the war, Company E and Company A being 
the only ones that furnished the surviving regimental commander. 

The following is a roster of the company : 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "E." 

NAME. EANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Michael C. McNamara, Capt.; 30; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Henry Splaine, 1st Lt.; 23; July 10, '61; Haverhill; transf. and pro. Capt. Jan. 31, '62; 
transf. to Co. A. 

Edward T. Parkinson, IstLt.; 23; January 9, '62; West Roxbury; pro. Asst. Adjt. Gen. U. S. 
Vols. July 7, '«3. 

Joseph W. Day, 1st Lt.; 32; Jan. 3, '64; Bradford; captured at battle of Bachelors Creek, 
N. C. Feb. 1, '64; disch. Mar 11, '65, expir. of service. 

James Maroney, 2d Lt.; 23; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; pro. 1st Lt.; Feb. 18, '62; transf. to Co. I. 

James Splaine, 2d Lt.; 22; Feb. 18, '62; Haverhill; pro. 1st Lt., Dec. 24, '62; transf. to Co. F. 

Daniel L. Getchell, 2d Lt.; 24; Dec. 24, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug, 3, '64. 

Joseph A. Moore, 2d Lt.; 20; Oct. 1, '63; Gloucester; transf. to Co. A, Nov. 1, '63. 

James Splaine, 1st Sgt.; 22; July 10, '61; Haverhill; pro. 2d Lt. Jan. 31, '62. 

George H. Putney, 1st Sgt.; 28; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John Smith, Sgt.; 22; July 10, '61; Haverhill; deserted July 25, '61. 

Alfred Putnam, Sgt.; 25; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Aug. 31, '63. 

Daniel Regan, Sgt.; 25; July 10, '61; Haverhill; wounded Dec. 16, '62; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Joseph G. Kelley, Sgt. ; 33 ; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; transf. to Co. F; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 

Charles F. Brown, Sgt.; 27; July 11. '61; Danvers; transf. to Co. C Feb. 2, '63. 

Thomas Keneally, Sgt.; 23; July 10, '61; Stoneham; captured pris. Feb. 1, '64; d. at Ander- 
son ville, Ga., June9, '64; No. of gr., 1754. 

Henry Mulvey, Sgt.; 23; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Allen Nourse, Sgt.; 21; July 11, '61; Danvers; d. Nov. 1, '62 atNewbem, N. C. 

Uriah Robertson, Sgt.; 26; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to new Co. H; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64 

Jeremiah Sheehan, Corp. ; 21 ; July 10, '61 ; Manchester, N. H. ; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Peter Godfrey, Corp.; 27; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. C. 

JohnO'Hara, Corp.; 26; July 10, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Jan. 30, '63. 

HughMcGloae, Corp.; 20; July 10, '61; Billerica; deserted Aug 1, '61. 

Edward Mulligan, Corp. ; 22 ; July 10, '61; Manchester. N. H.; M O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John Coffey, Corp.; 23; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Thomas McCarthy, Corp.; 23; July 10, '61; Haverhill; deserted Aug 2. '61. 

John Clabby. Corp.; 32; July 10. '61; Boston; transf. to Co. D. ab. pris. of war; re-enlist. 
Dec. 4. '63; d. in Andersonville, Ga., July 8, '64. Grave No. 3016. 

Eliphalet P. Crafts, Corp.; 33; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64; d. in Anderson- 
ville, Ga., Mar. 26 '62; No. of Grave, 174. 



40 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

WilliamElliott, Corp.; 24; July 10, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Oct. 21, '63. 
Dominick Kenney, Corp. 29; Jan. 31, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Jan 4, '64. 
Patrick Maloney, Corp; 24; July 10, '61 ; Stoneham; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Jan. 1, '64. 
Patrick Nalty, Corp. 19; July 10, '61; West Newbury; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Jan. 

5, '64. 
William Splaine, Corp.; 29; Sept. 2, '62; Haverhill: wounded Dec. 16, '62; disch. for disability 

Apr. 3, '63. 
Matthew Sweeney, Corp.; 29; July 10, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William H. Hanson, Musician; 33; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Richard Neagle, Artif.; 38; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; d. Jan. 1, '62, at Baltimore, Md. 
Edward Flaherty, Wagoner; 32; July 10, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Apr. 3, '63. 
John E. Acres, Private; 27; Oct. 8, '61; Boston; disch. for disability Oct. 10, '61. (So aays 

Muster-out Roll.) 
Samuel Anderson, Private; 50; July 10, '61 ; Lynnfield; dropped Mar. 26, '62. 
James Barry, Private; 21; Aug. 1, '62; Salisbury; disch. for idsability Nov. 13, '62 as a 

rej. recruit. 
George Bragdon, Private; July 12, '61 ; Lynnfield; no further record in Adjt. Gen. office, Mass. 
Michael Brannigan, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Woburn; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Dec. 

12, '63. 
Walter Broughton, Private; 20; July 10, '61 ; Lynnfield; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 
John Bumes, (also known as Barron) Private; 24; Oct. 6, '61; Haverhill; d. at Anderson ville, 

Ga., July 23, '64; grave No. 3841. 
Thomas W. Burroughs, Private; 16; Oct. 31, '61; Boston; disch. for disability Jan. 30, '63; 

enlisten as a musician. 
Christopher Campbell, Private; 25; Dec. 6, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disability, Jan. 16, 

'63. 
John Campbell, Private; 40; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Dec. 8, '63. 
John Carroll, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Manchester; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 
Thomas Casey, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; deserted, Aug. 2, '61. 
Thomas Casey, Private; 19; Jan. 13, '62; Boston; disch. for disability May 30, '62. 
Henry Chase, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlist. Dec. 5, 

'64. 
Lawrence Clark, Private; 27; Oct. 27, '61; Baltimore, Md.; deserted Nov. 2, '61. 
Patrick Cogan, Private; 31 ; July 10, '61 ; Woburn; disch. for disabilty Dec. 5, '61. 
Henry Connelly, Private; 27; July 10, '61; Georgetown; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 
Timothy Connelly, Private; 23; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. E.; re-enlisted Jan. 

5, '64. 
Thomas Croke, Private; 32; July 10, '61; Boston; deserted at Fort Macon, Jan. 31, '63. 
WilUam Daley, Private; 30; Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Patrick Dignan, Private; 29; Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George Doherty, Private; 24; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability; Sept; 6, '61. 
John Doonin, Private; 29; July 10, '61 ; Georgetown; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 
Timothy DriscoU, Private; 21 ; Aug. 1, '62; Salisbury; disch. for disability July 10, '63. 
George Eaton, Private: 37; July 10, '61; Haverhill; transf. to Co. H. 
Owen Egan, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Manchester, N. H.; wounded Feb. 1, '64; M. O. Aug. 

3, '64, at Boston, Mass. 
Thomas Ellis, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Haverhill; transf. to new Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 
Patrick Fallon, Private; 22; Jan 26, '62; Quincy; transf. to Co. C; re-enlist. Mar. 14, '64. 
Edward Flaherty, Private; 32; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Apr. 3, '63. 
Murty Fleming, Private; 26; July 10, '61; Boston; transf. to New Co. E; re-enlist. Jan. 1, '64. 
John Foley, Private; 20; July 10, '61 ; Stoneham; disch. for disability Mar. 2. '63. 
Stephen Foley, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Manchester, N. H.; deserted Aug. 1, '61. 
John Gannon, Private; 31; Dec. 6, '61; So. Danvers; disch. for disablity Dec. 3, '62. 
James H. Gartside, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability at Newborn, 

N. C, Aug. 20, '62. 



COMPANY E. 41 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OP ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John Godfrey, Private; 32; July 10, '61; Haverhill; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 

Joseph Godfrey, Private; 20; July 10, '61; Haverhill; tranaf. to New Co. B; re-enlisted. 

John Goggin, Private; 39; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

David B. Hackett, Private; 29; May 10, '61; So. Dan vers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Hugh Hagan, Private; 30; July 30, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

James Harney, Private; 21; Sept. 5, '62; Lynn; transf. to Co. C. 

Thomas Harrigan, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John Hennessey, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Manchester, N. H.; disch. for disability Sept. 

24, '61. 
Henry Kane, Private; 22; Sept. 2, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles W. Kimball, Private; 39; Aug. 7, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Francis C. Lawson, Private; 21; July 10, '61; HaverhiU; disch. for disability Jan. 10, '63. 
Joseph W. Lawton, Private; 32; July 25, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 4, '64. 
Dennis Linskey, Private; 21; Aug. 1, '62; Salisbury; disch. for disability Nov. 17, '62. 
John Lynch, Private; 39; Jan. 26, '62; Boston; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted Jan. 4, '64. 
William Maher, Private; 33; July 10, '61; Boston; deserted Aug. 12, '61. 
John Mahoney, Jr., Private; 23; July 10, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability at Newberne, 

N. C. Apr. 2, '63. 
Otis G Martin, Private; 34; July 10, '61; Lynnfleld; disch. for disability at Newbern, N. C. 

Aug. 18, '62. 
John Masterson, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Haverhill; deserted Aug. 14, '61. 
Thomas Masterson, Private; 28; July 10, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Patrick McEneany, Private; 25; July 10, '61; Georgetown; disch. for disability Dec. 2, '61; 

at Baltimore, Md. 
Owen McGauley, Private; 25; July 10, '61; Georgetown; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Dec. 11, '63. 
Thomas McGrath, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 5, '64. 
Bernard McKanna, Private; 26; July 10, '61; Stoneham; disch. for disability Jan. 18, '62. 
Patrick McKanna, Private; 28; July 10, '61; Boston; disch. for disability Dec. 5, '61. 
John McMahan, Private; 43; Oct. 8, '61; Boston; disch. for disability Jan. 22, '62. 
Anderton Melendy, Private; July 10, '61 ; Lynnfield; no further record Adjt. Gen. office, Mass. 
George Melendy, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William F. Millett, Private; 30; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 17. '63. 
William H. Moore, Private; 38; July 30, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Nov. 17, '62. 
Luther Moritz, Private; 23; July 22, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 4, '64. 
Lewis J. Morrill, Private; 34; Sept. 2, '62; Lynn; transf. from Co. A. Oct. 1, '62; disch. for 

disability Feb. 2, '63. 
Bernard Moyles, Private; 28; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Michael Mulligan, Private; 26; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 6, '61. 
Patrick Murphy, Private; 30; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 
Michael Norman, Private; 31 ; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability June 18, '62. 
John O'Brien, Private; 32; July 10, '61; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Thomas O'Brien, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Apr. 23. '63. 
John O'Hara, Private; 26; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Jan. 30, '63. 
Richard H. Peacock, Private; 27; July 10, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles H. Putnam, Private; 21; July 11, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Patrick Riley, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; deserted July 22. '61. 
Henry Rivers, Private; 25; July 10, '61; Haverhill; wounded Aprl 9, '63; transf. to New Co. 
A.; re-enlsited Dec. 5, '63. 



42 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OB CREDIT. 

John Ronan, Private; 20; July 10, '61; Stoneham; disch. for disability July 10, '63. 

Cornelius Roorke, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John Roswell, Private; 28; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John Shea, Private; 34; Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; d. of wounds at Newbeme, N, C. Feb. 6, '64 . 

Richard Smith, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Stoneham; deserted Aug. 10, '61. 

Peter Snee, Private; 44; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; deserted Aug. 24, '61. 

Herbert Splaine, Private; 33; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64; transf. from Co. 

C. to A. and from Co. A. to E. ; re-enlisted. 
Peter G. Soley, Private; 23; July 22, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. E.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 2, '64. 
John A. Southwick, Private; 43; Oct. 2, '61; Boston; disch. for disability Oct. 10, '61. 
Moses N. Stanley, Private; 31; July 22, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Casper Stephen, Private; 36; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; deserted Aug. 10, '61. 
Charles M. Stephens, Private; 27; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; disch. for disability Aug. 31, '62. 
Adam StofHet, Private; 21 ; July 20, '62; Boston; disch. for disability June 22, '63. 
Bartholomew Sullivan, Private; 23; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64 
Michael Sullivan, Private; 19; July 10,'61; Manchester, N.H.; disch. for disab. Sept.6, '61. 
James Sweeney, Private; 30; Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; d. May 11, '64 at Annapolis, Md. 
John Taggart, Private; 39; July 10, '61; Haverhill; d. at Andersonville, Ga. June 19, '64; 

grave No. 2067. 
William Towie, Private; 23; July 10, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability June 22, '63. 
Patrick Trainer, Private; 30; Oct. 18, '61; Georgetown; re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64; killed in action 

Feb. 1, '64. 
James Usher, Private; 22; Jan. 26, '62; Quincy; disch. for disability Apr. 3, '63. 
David Wallace, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Wallace, Jr., Private; 32; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; deserted Aug. 15, '61. 
John Wallace, Sr., Private; 42; July 10, '61 ; Haverhill; deserted Aug. 11, '61. 
William Wallace, Private; 26; July 10, '61; Boston; deserted Aug. 12, '61. 
John Walsh, Private; 36; July 10, '61; Lynn; disch. for disability Feb. 2, '63. 
Michael Ward, Private; 20; July 10, '61; Stoneham; disch. for disability Feb. 12, '63. 
Nathaniel M. Ward, Private; 30; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 10, '63, 
George H. Whitehead, Private; 21 ; Aug. 20, '61 ; Lynn; transf. from Co. B to Co. E ; wound. 

Dec. 17, '62; d. of wounds Feb. 6, '63, at Newbem, N. C. 



ORIGINAL COMPANY "F." 

(The following sketch of the formation of Company F of the 
Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment is compiled from extracts 
copied from the files of the "Tri-Weekly Publisher" of Haverhill, 
of 1861, obtained by Comrade C. E. Flanders for this memorial 
history. It is not as complete as the compiler would desire, but 
may be intelligible in connection with the history of the organiza- 
tion of Company E, which is full and accurate.) 

In its issue of April 26, 1861, the ''Publisher" has this item: 
" Several companies of volunteers have been formed in this village, 



COMPANY F. 43 

and are rapidly perfecting arrangements for organization for active 
service. Both officers and men. seem full of ardor, and are im- 
patient to be prepared for marching orders. A call was issued 
yesterday for a meeting at Passaquoit Hall, of the company just 
enlisted, by Dr. Towle, and forming the second company that had 
passed medical inspection for the purpose of organization. Major 
Ladd presided, and the following officers were elected: Captain, 
Luther Day; first lieutenant, E. F. Tompkins; second lieutenant, 
William H. Turner. 

"The company is composed of a fine, intelligent, sturdy, body 
of men, averaging five feet seven and one-half inches in height, 
and 150 pounds weight — ^two of them are six feet two inches tall, 
nine are six feet, and over twenty-one are five feet ten inches and 
upwards, and eight weigh 175 pounds each.' ' 

In the May 16, 1861, issue, it is recorded that "Lieutenant 
Palmer of Company G, (Hale guards), now serving with the Fifth 
Massachusetts Regiment at Washington, D. C, started for Wash- 
ington on Monday morning to join his company, and was escorted 
from his residence to the cars by the volunteer company under 
Captain Day.' ' 

In the issue of May 30, it is recorded: "Today the company, 
under Captain Day, appeared in their new uniforms furnished by 
the town, and made by the Ladies' Relief Society, under the 
superintendence of Mr. Edmund Fletcher, with the exception of 
the officers' uniforms, which were made by Mr. Alonzo Way, from 
patterns furnished by Mr. Fletcher. The uniform, which is a 
rifle jacket for privates, and frock coat for officers, of cadet gray 
cloth, trimmed with gilt buttons and a black cord, is really beauti- 
ful, substantial and comfortable, and in point of workmanship 
highly creditable to the ladies. By their energy it was completed 
with great dispatch— just two weeks, we believe, being the time 
spent in the manufacture and making of the coats and pants. 

"The company made a fine appearance on parade today. 
One of the prominent points of interest with the company is the 
attachment of Master Charles Oscar Wallace, a lad of five years 
of age, who applied for membership at the time the papers were 
opened for enlistment. He has been selected as the child of the- 



44 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

company, and appears with them when on parade, with uniform, 
and bears a spear as a weapon of warfare. 

"Captain Day's company was escorted by Captain Howe's 
command, both of which corps are awaiting orders. BattaHon 
drill took place today at Elmvale Park. There were seven com- 
panies present, — three from Lawrence, one from Methuen, one 
from Andover, one from North Andover, and Captain Day's 
company from this town, numbering in all over 500 men, rank 
and file. All but one company were uniformed, and the uniforms 
vary both in style and color. The drill was under the command 
of Colonel Decker from Lawrence, and was considered good." 

A list of the officers and men of Captain Day's company is 
given in the "Publisher" of a later date, but as the names are 
included in the roster of the company, which follows, the list 
need not here be given. 

June 8's issue contains this item: "George Foote, Esq., 
cashier of the Spicket Falls Bank, and a native of this town, has 
presented Lieut. E. F. Tompkins of Captain Day's company with 
a sword and belt of the regulation pattern. The weapon was a 
very fine one and valued at $25. The company expects to be 
called into service, and have no thought of disbanding, as has 
been reported." 

June 27. — "The ten new regiments ordered places the two 
companies of Captain Day and Captain McNamara in the Seven- 
teenth Massachusetts Regiment." 

July 9. — "By a special order just issued, the companies com- 
prising this regiment, including those of Captain Day and Captain 
McNamara, of this town, are ordered to report to the Adjutant 
General at Lynnfield, Mass., tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock, 
and go into camp." 

The following is a roster of the company : 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "F." 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Luther Day, Capt.; 32; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; pro. maj. Dec. 29, '63. 
John E. MuUaly, Capt.; 22; Dec. 29, '63 Salem; transf. to New Co. C. 



COMPANY F. 45 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Enoch F. Tompkins, 1st Lt.; 30; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; pro. Capt. and transf. to Co. B, 

Dec. 19, '61. 
Ivory N. Richardson, 1st Lt.; 23; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; pro. Capt. and transf. to Co. D. 

Oct. 5, '62. 
Henry Poor, 1st Lt.; 23; Sept. 25, '62; Stoneham; resigned Dec. 23, '62. 
James Splaine, 1st Lt.; 22; Dec. 24, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A. 
William H. Turner, 2d Lt.; 24; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. and pro. 1st Lt., Co. G, 

Dec. 10, '61. 
Ezekiel F. Mann, 2d Lt. ; 24 ; No v. 3, '61 ; Boston ; transf. to Co. K, Jan. 4, '62. 
Henry W. Oliver, 2d Lt.; 31 ; Aug. 21, '61 ; Maiden; resigned Feb. 9, '62. 
Horace Dexter, 2d Lt.; 36; Feb. 9, '62; Cambridge; transf. to Co. I, May 4, '63. 
Archibald Bogle, 2d Lt.; 21; Aug. 21, '61; Melrose; pro. and transf. to Co. H., June 11, '62. 
Linus B. Comins, Jr., 2d Lt.; 20; May 28, '62; Roxbury; transf. to Co. B, Oct. 18, '62. 
Joseph W. Day, 2d Lt.; 30; Sept. 30, '62; Bradford; transf. to Co. E, Jan. 1, '64. 
Daniel L. Getchel, 2d Lt.; 30; Dec. 24, '62; Haverhill; transf. to Co. E, Feb. 10, '64. 
Samuel G. Roberts, 2d Lt.; 21; Mar. 24, '63; So. Danvera; wounded Apr. 9, '63; transf. 

toCo. A, Mayl6, '64. 
Daniel L. Getchell, 1st Sgt. ; 29 ; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill, pro. 2d Lt. Dec. 24, '62. 
Joseph W. Day, 1st Sgt.; 29; Apr. 26, '61; Bradford; pro. 2d Lt. Sept. 30, '62. 
George K. Place, 1st Sgt.; 23; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Granville Hardy, Sgt.; 25; Apr. 26, '61; Groveland; killed in action at Goldsboro, N. C. 

Dec. 17, '62. 
Henry B. Webber, Sgt.; 26; Apr. 26 '61; Haverhill; pro. Com. Sgt. N. C. S., Oct. 1, '62. 
John B. Hill, Sgt.; 43; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; pro. Sgt. Maj. N. C. S. June 14, '62. 
Charles E. Folsom, Sgt.; 21 : Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Heni-y T. Merrill, Sgt.; 23; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; pro. Com. Sgt. Aug. 27, '61. 
Gardener S. Morse, Sgt.; 24; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; wounded Apr. 9, '63; M. O. Aug, 3, '64. 
Richard E. Norton, Sgt.; 20; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John E. Titcomb, Sgt. ; 21 ; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George A. Roberts, Corp.; 25; Apr. 26, '61; Rochester; disch. for disability at Baltimore, 

Md, Dec. 28, '61. 
William C. Haynes, Corp.; 28; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Dearborn F. Richards, Corp.; 23; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Aug. 12, '62. 
Adoniram J. Oilman, Corp.; 22; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. E,; re-enlisted 

Jan 4, '64. 
Albert G. Gardner, Corp. ; 21 ; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Stephen L. Badger, Corp.; 34; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George A. Brown, Corp.; 20; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John S. Dearborn, Corp.; 20; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; wounded Dec. 17, '62; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas Murray, Corp.; 24; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William S. Norton, Corp.; 27; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability, Oct. 5, '62. 
John Silver, Corp.; 28; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Simon S. Steele, Corp.; 19; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. B. ; re-enlist. Jan. 4, '64 . 
Martin S. Wharton, Corp.; 31 ; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George W. Derby, Musician; 41; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disibality Oct. 5, '62. 
Stephen W. Hall, Musician; 16; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability May 28, '63. 
WiUiam H. Collins, Wagoner; 20; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William W. Abbott, Private; 22; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Elbridge B. Allen, Private; 30; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 14. '62. 
George E. Allen, Private; 33; Apr. 26, '61; Portland, Me.; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 18, '62. 
William J. Armstrong, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
David W. Barteaux, Private; 36; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; d. at Washington, D. C. Dec.26, 

'62. 



^6 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Jacob W. Beckum, Private; 25; Aug. 11, '62; Bradford; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Isaac C. Blaisdell, Private; 26; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Oct. 17, '61. 

John B. Blake, Private; 42; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Enoch M. Bradley, Private; 20; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Addison Brickett, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Charles S. Brown, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Jacob D. Brown, Private; 23; Apr. 26, '61 ; Boxford; disch. for disability May 28, '63. 

Thomas Burke, Private; 22; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf . to New Co. B.; re-enlist. Dec. 

13, '63. 

Jonas S. Butters, Private; 31 ; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability Dec. 16, '63. 
Charles H. Cammett, Private; 20; Apr. 26, '61; Groveland; disch. for disability Apr. 24, '63. 
John C. Chapman, Private; 31; Sept. 28, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Jan. 30, '63. 
Levi F. Colbath, Private; 27; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 

1, '64. 
Cyrus W. Crocker, Private; 32; Apr. 26, ' 61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Samuel L. Currier, Private; 21 ; Apr. 26, '61 ; Newton, N. H. ; d. at Baltimore, Md. Mar 22, '62. 
John R. Darling, Private; 26; Aug. 15, '62; Cambridge; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Leonard M. Darling, Private; 21; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 10, '63. 
Charles H. Davis, Private; 17; Sept. 28, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. H; re-enlist. Jan. 

1,'64; 
Charles N. Davis, Private; 42; Sept. 28, '61; Haverhill; wounded Dec. 17, '62; disch. Sept. 

29, '64. 
Hazen S. Dearborn, Private; 23; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles A. Doe, Private; 23; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Alonzo Dresser, Private; 35; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 11, '63. 
James J. Eaton, Private; 34; Jan. 30, '62; Bradford; disch. for disability at Baltimore, Md., 

Feb. 14, '62. 
Isaiah Emerson, Private; 33; Feb. 18, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 18, '62. 
Joel W. P. Evans, Private; 22; Jan. 31, '62; Chelsea; transf. to New Co. D. 
Francis Fletcher, Private; 22; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 12, '62. 
Albert A. Frye, Private; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; d. at Baltimore, Md., Dec. 28, '61. 
John J. Furber, Private; 22; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Albert Gale, Private; 20; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Feb. 9, '64. 
David W. Gardner, Private; 21; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability at Baltimore, 

Md.,Sept. 25, '61. 
Mark L. Gilman, Private; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disablity Sept. 2, '61. 
Rufus L. Gilman, Private; 19: Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas E. Gilman, Private; 28; Apr. 26, '61; Groveland; disch. for disability at Newbem, 

N.C.July 21, '62. 
William E. Gilman, Private; 31; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
James W. Gilson, Private; 31; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. June 9, '64; order war dept. 
Thaddeus P. Goodwin, Private; 26; Apr. 26, '61; Charlestown; disch. for disabiUty July 

14, '62. 

John S. Harriman, Private; 21; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John H Heckman, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61; Bradford; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Samuel G. Hewitt, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; d. at Baltimore, Md., Apr. 22, '62. 

Jospeh Hicks, Private; 35; Jan. 31, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Apr. 9, '63. 

Stephen W. Hodgkins, Private; 22; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Ensign L. Hunkins, Private; 20; Sept. 28, '61; Haverhill; transf. Nov. 30, '63 to U. S. Sig. 

Corps. 
Harrison Johnson, Private; 28; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Samuel W. Jones, Private; 20; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Dec. 4, '62. 
Joseph P. Keif, Private; 23; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 18, '63. 



COMPANY F. 47 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Nathaniel Keniston, Private; 18; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Charles A. Kimball, Private; 27; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for diaability Dec. 2, '63. 

John T. Kimball, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

William W. Marsh, Private; 25; Jan. 19, '64; Boston; d. at Newbern, N. C. May 29, '64. 

Charles F. Meader, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
John L. Meader, Private; 29; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 10, '63. 
Edward D. Metcalf, Private; 22; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George A. Metcalf, Private; 25; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William D. Mitchell, Private; 21; Apr. 26, '61; Groveland; transf. to New Co. E; re-enlisted 

Feb. 29, '64. 
WilUam Morrill, Private; 26; Sept. 3, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Sept. 15, '63. 
Henry M. Morse, Private; 29; July 25, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Jan. 30, '63. 
John Norton, Private; 23; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; deserted Aug. 23, '61. 
Samuel O. Osgood, Private; 26; Aug. 4, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability May 30, '63. 
Harrison M. Pattee, Private; 25; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Peck, Private; 21; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Darius Pierce, Private; 25 Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Frank C. Pierce, Private; 20; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Levi R. Pierce, Private; 23; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Samuel W. Pierce, Private; 18; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Jan. 30, '63. 
Vincent T. Pinkham, Private; 30; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability May 28, '63. 
Charles F. Remick, Private; 23; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 23, '63. 
Silas H. Rogers, Private; 33; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted Jan. 

1, '64. 
Ezra Rumney, Private; 28; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted Jan. 

5, '64. 
Bryant Sheyes, Private; 31; Jan. 31, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability July 10, '63. 
George S. Sides, Private; 21; Apr. 26. '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas B. Simonds, Private; 21; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph E. Smith, Private; 37; Apr. 26; '61; HaverhiU; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Elbridge H. Spinney, Private; 25; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disabiUty July 1, '62. 
Charles W. Stevens, Private; 23; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 24, '62. 
Leonard S. Stevens, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability Mar. 3, '63. 
Charles H. Stewart, Private; 18; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; discharged for disabiUty May 30, '63. 
George E. Stewart, Private; 19; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disabiUty Sept. 11, '63. 
James C. Stewart, Private; 44; Sept. 30, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disabiUty May 30, '64. 
John Z. Taylor, Private; 26; Apr. 26, '61; Lowell; d. at Baltimore, Md., Nov. 9, '61. 
Warren Tibbetts, Private; 18; Apr. 26, '61; Exeter, N. H.; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 18, '62. 
Alfred L. Tilton, Private; 24; Aug. 6, '62; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Thomas P. Titcomb, Private; 40; Aug. 4, '62; HaverhiU; disch. as rejec. recruit, Nov. 16'62. 
John Toofoot, Private; 24; Jan. 19, '64; Boston; d. June 24, '64, Newbern, N. C. 
John Tucker, Private; 18; Apr. 26, '61; HaverhiU; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
WilUam TuUock, Private; 21; Apr. 26, '61; HaverhiU; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Franklin L. Walker, Private; 18; Aug. 6, '62, HaverhiU; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 3, '63. 
Joseph A. Welch, Private; 22; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlisted 

Jan. 4, '64. 
Charles S. Wheeler, Private; 23; Apr. 26, '61; Peterborough, N. H.; disch. for disabiUty at 

Baltimore, Md., Dec. 6, '61. 
George A. White, Private; 32; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
WilUam Woodington, Private; 21; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disabiUty Sept. 25, '62. 
John W. Woodman, Private; 21 ; Apr. 26, '61 ; Haverhill; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



48 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

COMPANY "G," ROCKPORT. 

"Kimball Guards." 

Accounts of the origin and formation of Company "G" of 
the Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment differ somewhat in some 
details. Without attempting to reconcile them (they are not, 
however, of any importance), the compiler of this history gives both. 
The first is as follows : 

Immediately upon the call of the government for three years' 
volunteers, the patriotic citizens of Rockport raised a company of 
the best material, commanded by Capt. Daniel B. T. Farr, who 
tendered their services to the State. Not being immediately 
accepted, the town and spirited individuals liberally contributed 
to the support of the soldiers and their families to an extent exceed- 
ing three thousand dollars till they were enrolled as Company 
"G," and ordered into camp at Lynnfield, where they reported 
fifty-two guns. Upon the morning of their departure from town 
a meeting of the citizens was held to bid them farewell, at which, 
after a prayer and speeches from prominent individuals, a superb 
and richly mounted silk ensign, which cost upwards of $75, was 
presented to the Company by Hon. Moses Kimball of Boston, in 
compliment to whom the company had been named. On the day 
before they left for the seat of war, a company from Salem, 
raised by Capt. George W. Kenney, was merged with them, and 
the command given to that gentleman. 

The other account quoted is given by Comrade John H. Tyler 
of Wenham, in a well-written article published in the "Salem 
Gazette" of September 17, 1886, entitled "Company G, 17th 
Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers — Salem City Rifles." He 
says regarding the formation of the company : 

"Company G, or as it was then known 'The Salem City 
Rifles,' began to assemble at Winter Island, Salem Neck, in the 
early spring of 1861, under the captaincy of Nathan W. Osborn, 
now of the United States Army. George William Kenney of 
Danvers was first lieutenant, and I think the second lieutenant was 
a Lieutenant Wilson. Recruiting went forward slowly for some 



COMPANY G. 49 

time. The men, in the meantime, were drilled twice a day by 
Lieutenant Kenney, or Sergeant Rowndy. About the middle of 
August, we were ordered to proceed to the State camp at Lynnfield, 
to join the 19th Regiment. Captain Osborn had, in the meantime, 
been appointed to a staff position and ordered to Indianapolis. 
The company proceeded to Lynnfield as per orders, but for some 
unknown reason was not assigned to the 19th, but was consolidated 
with part of a company from Rockport and Gloucester. In the 
course of a few days. Lieutenant Kenney was commissioned by 
Governor Andrews as captain of Company G, 17th Massachusetts 
Volunteers. He at once assumed command.' ' 

The following is a roster of the company : 

ORIGINAL COMPANY ''G." 



NAME. HANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

George W. Kenney, Capt. ; 31; July 10, '61; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64; wounded Dec. 17, 
'62. 

George W. Tufts, 1st. Lt.; 33; July 10, '61; Rockport; d. at Baltimore, Md., Oct. 27, '61. 

William H. Turner, 1st Lt.; 24; Dec. 10, '61; Haverhill; resigned Apr. 25, '63. 

Charles O. Fellows, 1st Lt. 19; Aug. 13, '62; Chelsea; pro. Capt. and transf. New Co. F. 

Alfred M. Channell, 2d Lt. 29; July 10, '61; Rockport; Jan. 17, '62, resigned. 

Charles C. Morse, 2d Lt.; 29; Feb. 20, '62; Haverhill; resigned March 23, '63. 

EzekielF. Mann, 2dLt.;25; Nov. 3, '61; Boston; pro. 1st Lt. Aug. 30, '62;as3ig. to Co. I. 

Samuel G. Roberts; 21; 2d Lt.; Mar. 24, '63; So. Danvers; transf. to Co. A. 

James B. Daley, 1st Sgt.; 21; July 10, '61; Rockport; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '62. 

Lancelot K. Rowe, 1st Sgt.; 42; July 10, '61 ; Gloucester; disch. for disability, Jan. 15, '63. 

Henry G. Hyde, 1st Sgt.; 22; July 11, '61; Danvers; pro. 2d Lt.; transf. to New Co. A; 
re-enlist. Feb. 29, '64. 

WilUam E. Norris, Sgt.; 32; July 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

William M. Parrott, Sgt.; 29; July 10, '61 ; Gloucester; disch. for disability Sept. 27, '62. 

Hiram S. Feldgen, Sgt.; 26; July 10, '61; Salem; disch. for disability Dec. 14,' 61 at Balti- 
more, Md. 

Story D. Poole, Sgt.; 31; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; transf. to N. C. S. as Qmr. Sgt. May 12, '62. 

Frank G. Kelly, Sgt.; 22; July 10, '61; Lynn; wounded Dec. 17, '62; disch. for disability 
June 23, '63. 

Edgar B. Clements, Sgt. ; 23; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George Elwell, Sgt.; 29; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; transf. to New Co. C. ; re-enlist. Jan. 1, '64. 

William A. Stevens, Sgt.; 40; July 10, '61; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64; as William A. 
Steams. 

J. Frank Stimpson, Sgt.; 26; Mar. 14, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '63. 

Joshua Younger, Sgt.; 30; Aug. 29, '61; Gloucester; wounded Dec. 17, '62; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Ezra L. Woodbury, Corp.; 22; July 10, '61; Gloucester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Seward P. Sylvester, Corp. 18; July 10, '61 ; Danvers; M. O. Aug.'S, '64. 

Joshua S. Prime, Corp. 39; July 10, '61; Salem; disch. for disability May 28, '63. 

Henry A. Cook, Corp.; 19; July 10, '61; Gloucester; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Dec. 
30, '63. 



50 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

William H. Davis, Corp.; 24; July 10, '61; Rockport; transf. to New Co. F; re-enlisted Deo. 

26, '63. 
Patrick H. Donavan, Corp.; 18; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 1, 

'64. 
Greenleaf Herman, Corp. 21; Jan. 24, '62; Baltimore. Md. wounded Dec. 17, '62; leg ampu- 
tated disch. for wounds at Augusta, Me., May 31, '63. 
Joseph W. Kimball, Corp. ; 21 ; July 10, '61 ; Gloucester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Calvin Marshall, Corp. ; 21 ; July 30, '62; Gloucester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Allen Stone, Corp.; 30; Aug. 15, '62; Charlestown; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles E. Batchelder, Musician; 18; July 10, '61; Wenham; transf to New Co. A; re-enlist. 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Charles W. Buxton, Wagoner; 29; July 10, '61 ; Salem; disch. for disabiUty Dec. 8, '62. 
John N. Barton, Private; 36; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; disch. for disabiUty June 12, '63. 
Albion M. Bray, Private; 22; Aug. 4, '62; Sahsbury; disch. for disabiUty July 12, '63. 
Edward D. Bray, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Samuel B. Bray, Private; 25; July 10, '61; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James T. Brickett, Private; 21; July 24, '62; HaverhiU; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Lyman P. Bromley, Private; 22; Aug. 16, '62; HaverhiU; disch. for disabiUty Feb. 27, '63. 
Melvin M. Brooks, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Marblehead; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 21, '62. 
James W. Brown, Private; 36; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; disch. for disabiUty Mar. 18, '63. 
FrankUn N. Burchstead, Private; 35; July 10, '61; Beverly; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 23, '63. 
Alfred D. Burditt, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Wenham; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Bumham, Private; 42; July 10, '61; Beverly; disch. for disabiUty Nov. 5, '61. 
James Cannon, Private; 21; Aug. 12, '62; Boston; disch. for disability June 26, '63. 
Francis H. Center, Private; 18; July 10, '61 ; Wenham; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Andrew T. Chipman, Private; 39; July 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Robert Chisholm, Private; 23; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; disch. for disability Jan. 28, '63. 
William H. Clough, Private; 35; July 10, '61; Salem; disch. for disabiUty May 28, '63. 
Joseph H. Coley, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enUst. Dec. 5, 

'63. 
Nicholas Congdon, Private; 25; July 10, '61; Danvers; disch. for disabiUty Dec. 18, '61. 
Samuel Courtney , Private; 19; Jan. 31, '62; Gloucester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Crockett, Private; 30; Aug. 9, '62; Gloucester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Jesse L. Dame, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Beverly; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enUst. Jan. 1, '64. 
John Daggett, Private; 33; Aug. 29, '61; Gloucester; disch. for disabiUty, Mar. 26, '63. 
Thomas Davidson, Private; 17; July 10, '61; Rockport; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. 

Dec. 28, '63. 
Daniel Downs, Private; 39; July 29, '62; Boston; disch. for disabiUty Nov. 19, '63. 
Felix Doyle, Private; 37; July 10, '61; Wenham; transf. to V. R. C. Oct, 14, '63; M. 0. 

July 22, '64. 
Francis C. Eaton, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Boston; disch. for disabiUty Jan. 14, '63, at 

Newbem, N. C. 
Franklin Elliott, Private; 35; July 10, '61; So. Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Enoch Emory, Private; 21; July 30, '62; Gloucester; disch. for disabiUty May 30, '63 at 

Newbem, N. C. 
John Falvey, Private; 24; Aug. 12, '62; Marblehead; disch. for disabiUty Jan. 17, '63. 
David H. Felt, Private; 28; July 10, '61 ; Salem; disch. for disabiUty May 28, '63. 
George Felt, Private; 26; July 10, '61; Rockport; never left the State; deserted. 
Charles Femald, Private; 23; July 10, '61 ; Rockport never left the State; deserted. 
James Finn, Private; 29; July 10, '61; Rockport; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enUst. Jan. 5, '64. 
Charles H. FUnt, Private; 21; Aug. 12, '62; Marblehead; d. Nov. 11, '62, at Newbem N. C. 
Nathaniel H. Foss, Private; 20; July 10, '61; Hamilton; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Richard Foss, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Hamilton; disch. for disabiUty Feb. 9, '63. 
Charles T. French, Private; 29; Jan. 24, '62; Baltimore, Md.; disch. for disabiUty Feb. 16, 

'63. 



COMPANY G. 51 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. 'RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Ephraim Getchell, Private; 35; Aug. 5, '62; Danvera; d. Jan. 25, '63, in hospital at Newbem, 

N.C. 
Andrew Goldthwait, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Rockport; never left the State; de3erted. 
William Gooding, Private; 24; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; discharged for disability May 28, '63. 
William Gould, Private; 35; July 10, '61; Rockport; pris. Feb. 1, '64; d. in Andersonville, 

Ga., May 5, '64; No. of Gr. 893. 
Charles H. Gove; Private; 19; July 10, ' 61; Rockport; tran.sf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Dec. 

28, '63. 
Joshua F. Hatch, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Rockport; disch. for disabihty Jan. 3, '63. 
Henry Hiatt, Private; 31; Aug. 12, '62; Gloucester; disch. for disability Feb. 26, '63; wound. 

Dec. 17, '62. 
Daniel A. Homan, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Wenham; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '62 as 

David A. Homan. 
Benjamin Huddle, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan 1, '64. 
John H. IngersoU, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Gloucester; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. 

Dec. 30. '63. 
Edwin Janes, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted Jan. 4, 

'64; prisoner Mar. 8, '65. 
Benjamin Jenkins, Private; 18; July 31, '62; Bradford; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Levi F. Larcom, Private; 18; July 10, '61 ; Beverly; d. Dec. 18, '61, at Baltimore, Md. 
Dennis Leary, Private; 41; July 10, '61; Salem; disch. for disabihty Sept. 27, '62. 
Roland F. Lewis, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted Jan. 

5, '64. 
David P. Lowe, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Gloucester; never left state; deserted. 
John A. Marston, Private; 38; Aug. 22, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
WiUiam Marston, Private; 19; July 30, '62; Gloucester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Silas Maxwell, Private; 42; July 10, '61; Salem; d. at Newbern, N. C, Sept. 1, '62. 
Walter A. May, Private; 27; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; never left state; deserted. 
WiUiam McConnell, Private; 35; July 10, '61; Beverly; disch. for disabihty Dec. 7, '61. 
James McCormick, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Manchester; re-enUsted Jan. 4, '64; transf. to 

New Organ. 
Thomas McCormick, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Manchester; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '63. 
John McGUnchy, Private; 28; July 10, '61; Boston; transf. to New Co. C; re-enhst. Dec. 7, 

'63. 
Joan J. McKenney, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Rockport; disch. for disability Apr. 23, '63. 
Jesse McLoud, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Rockport; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enUsted Jan. 

4, '64. 
Matthew Meehan, Private; 17; July 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Herman F. Morse, Private; 21 ; July 28, '62; Bradford; disch. for disabihty July 10, '63. 
Ciiarles T. Neal, Private; 22; Aug. 26, '62; Brookhne; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Randall P. Newman, Private; 18; Oct. 26, '61; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enUsted 

Dec. 5, '63. 
Horace Noble, Private; 22; July 17, '61; Rockport; disch. for disability Dec. 14, '61; at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Hiram C. Norcross, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Manchester; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 4, '64. 
OUver A. Norton, Private; 29; July 10, '61; Rockport; disch. for disability Apr. 23, '63. 
WilUam Ober, Private; 27; Aug. 5, '62; Dan vers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles H. O'Hare, Private; 20; July 10, '61; Salem; no further record Adjt. Gen. ofi&ce, 

Mass.; never mustered. 
George T. Parker, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Rockport; disch. for disability June 23, '63. 
Olvin Parsons, Private; 21; Aug. 8, '62; Gloucester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas Phalan, Private; 28; July 10, '61; Salem; deserted Nov. 9, '61. 
Abraham Phippin, Private; 30; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Dec. 8, '63. 



52 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGB. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

William H. Pinkham, Private; 21; Aug. 19, '62; Boston; transf. Nov. 30, '63 to U. S. Sig. 
Corps. 

Cyrus Poole, Private; 30; July 10, '61; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George Prior, Private; 31; July 10, '61; Gloucester; d. Sept. 28, '62, at Newbern, N. C. 

James Prior, Private; 21; Aug. 12, '62; Boston: M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Daniel Pulsifer, Private; 18; July 10, '61 ; Gloucester; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Joseph Quinn, Private; 18; JulylO, '61; Salem; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Jan. 1, '64. 

John Reeves, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Rockport; transf. to Co. A.; re-enlisted Dec. 30, '63. 

William Robbins, Private; 23; July 10, '61; Rockport; disch. for disability June 19, '62. 

Henry C. Robinson, Private; 35; July 10, '61; Rockport; honorably disch. for pro. as Act. 
Ens. U. S. N. Oct. 29, '63. 

Brynard P. Scanlan, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Charles Sharkey, Private; 33; July 10, '61; Salem; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Ezra W. Skinner, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Rockport; deserted never left state. 

Elvin Smith, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Rockport; deserted; never left state. 

Ezekiel H. Stacey, Private; 28; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

James H. Stevens, Private; 21 ; July 10, '61 ; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Benjamin F. Stone, Private; 42 ; July 10, '61 ; Salem; disch. for disability May 28, '63. 

Hugh Strain, Private; 20; July 10, '61; Rockport; transf. to New Co. E.; re-enlisted Jan. 1, 
'64. 

Henry Thomas Taylor, Private; 20; July 10, '61; Rockport; transf. to New Co. A.; re-en- 
listed Dec. 4, '64; prisoner of war, Feb. 1, '64. 

Charles Trafton, Private; 18; July 10, '61 ; Beverly; disch. for disabiUty Apr. 2, '62. 

Daniel W. Turner, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Rockport; never left state; deserted. 

Abram A. Tyler, Private; 28; May 13, '64; Adams; transf. to new Co. G. 

John H. Tyler, Private; 18; July 10, '61; Wenham; transf. to New Co. F.; re-enlisted Jan. 
5, '64. 

Jerome Wheeler, Private; 21; July 10, '61; Rockport; d. at Newbeme, N. C. Nov. 19, '62. 

William White, Private; 19; July 10, '61; Boston; never left state; deserted. 

Orlando S. Wight, Private; 29; Aug. 19, '62; HaverhiU; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George M. Willey, Private; 18; July 10, '61 ; Salem; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '62. 

George A. Wilson, Private; 27; Oct. 6, '61 ; Dan vers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Maurice B. M. Younger, Private; 17; July 10, '61; Rockport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64; wounded 
Dec. 17, '62. 



COMPANY "H." 



"British Volunteers." 

(The following sketch of the formation of Companj'- "H" of 
the Seventeenth is contributed by Capt. Joseph A. Moore, who 
joined the company as a private at the time of its formation.) 

Soon after President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, after 
the attack on Fort Sumter by the rebels in April, 1861, some 
twenty men, most of them young, formed a military drill club, 



COMPANY H. 53 

which met in a hall on Bowdoin Square, Boston. The meetings 
at first took place once a week, then oftener, until after about a 
month, as their numbers increased, they met nearly every evening 
for drill. The drill-master was Robert W. McCourt, who had seen 
service in the British army as sergeant. At first the club was 
composed almost exclusively of men of English birth or parentage, 
but as time passed, others were admitted. 

This formed the nucleus of a company which was afterwards 
recruited mostly from Fall River, and entered the United States 
service as company H, Seventeenth Regiment, Massachusetts 
Volunteer Infantry. The company went into camp at Lynnfield, 
July 10, 1861, being the day of enlistment as borne on the com- 
pany's rolls. The commissioned officers were: John K. Lloyd, 
captain; John S. Hammond, first lieutenant; Robert W. McCourt, 
second lieutenant. 

In the company were several men who had seen service in the 
British army, among them Captain Lloyd and Lieutenant Mc- 
Court, who had served as non-commissioned officers. The ex- 
perience of those men was of much benefit to the new men when 
first going into camp, as they were called upon to instruct the others 
in the many little details of camp life, which added to the comfort 
of the new soldiers; but new men were sometimes looked upon by 
the older members as inferiors, which was anything but pleasing 
to the recruit. 

The experiences of camp life was something new for most of the 
men, as the younger ones who were leaving home for the first time, 
soon learned that camp was not home. One young man, but 
little over seventeen, well remembers the first order he received 
on reaching camp. Having had a day's leave of absence after 
enlisting, before going to camp, on arriving at the company street, 
and while on his way to the captain's tent to report, he was met 
by a sergeant, who, after surveying the new arrival, said : 

"Here, you young gossoon, take a kettle and go down to the 
quartermaster's and get it full of spuds, and tell the quartermaster 
it is for the British Volunteers." 

While in Lynnfield, the company did the usual amount of 
drilling and camp duty that falls to the lot of all new military 



54 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

organizations. The calls were: Reveille, 5 a. m.; roll call, 6; peas 
on trencher, 7; surgeons' call, 7:30; orderly's call (first sergeant), 
7:30; troop guard, 9:45; assembly (company drill), 10:30; roast 
beef, 12 m.; assembly (company drill), 1:30 p. m.; battalion drill, 
2; dress parade, 6:30; peas on trencher, 7; tatoo, 10; taps, 10:30. 

The company was sworn into the United States service, July 
22, 1861, for three years, unless sooner discharged. Before being 
sworn in, the company received from the State of Massachusetts 
a gray uniform, with state buttons, but on August 22d, it was given 
the uniform of the regular army and arms and the pay due from 
the State. 

About 3 p. M., August 23d, the regiment broke camp and took 
the cars from Boston, where the colors were received just before 
leaving, at 10 p. m., at the station of the Boston & Albany Railroad. 

The destination of the regiment was then to be Washington. 
The regiment arrived at New York about 3 p. m., and left that city 
at 8 p. m. the following day, arriving at Philadelphia at 6 a. m. on 
the 25th, and had breakfast at the Old Cooper's Shop. After 
breakfast, at 9 a. m., cars were again taken, and Baltimore was 
reached at 4 p. m., and the regiment marched about a mile outside 
the city, and camped without tents. On the 26th, they shifted 
camp and pitched tents at Stewart 's Grove, near the camp of Nim's 
Battery. This was named Camp Andrew in honor of our Massa- 
chusetts governor. 

The following is a roster of the company : 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "H." 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John K. Lloyd Capt.; 38; July 2, '61; Boston: prisoner of war Feb. 1, '64; disch. Mar. 12, '65. 

John S. Hammond, 1st Lt.; 34; July 2, '61; Boston; resigned May 15, '62. 

Archibald Bogle, 1st Lt.; 23; May 28, '62; Melrose; transf. to Co. C. 

John B. Hill, 1st Lt.; 45; Jan. 3, '64; Haverhill; transf. to Co. A.; pris. of war Feb. 1, '64. 

Philip C. Mason, 1st Lt.; 28; July 3, '63; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Thomas F. Newton, 1st Lt.; 34; July 3, '63; Haverhill; transf. to New Organ. 

Robert W. McCourt, 2d Lt.; 29; July 2, '61; Boston; resigned Nov. 2, '61. 

John B. Hill, 2d Lt.; 44; Aug. 13, '62; Haverhill; pro. 1st Lt. May 21, '63; pris. of war Feb. 

1, '64. 
James Inman, 2d Lt.; 25; June 29, '63; Danvers; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Honestus H. Kimball, 1st Sgt.; 28; July 2, '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



COMPANY H. 55 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OP ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Edward Stalder, 1st Sgt.; 32; July 2, '61; Roxbury; d. Andersonville, Ga., July 16, '64; 

grave No. 3397; prisoner of war. 
Leonard W. Philips, 1st Sgt.; 23; Jan. 25, '62; Bradford; d. Andersonville, Ga.; Oct. 5, 

'64; grave No. 10383; prisoner of war. 
Francis McGinnis, Sgt.; 29; July 2, '61; Waltham; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William Keyes, Sgt.; 25; July 2, '61 Boston; disch. for disability Jan. 14, '63. 
Ezekiel F. Mann, Sgt.; 24; July 2, '61; Boston; pro. 2d Lt. Nov. 3, '61; transf. to Co. F. 
Richard Webb, Sgt.; 22; July 2, '61; Fall River; discharged for disability Sept. 28, '61. 
Charles H. Gordon, Sgt.; 21; July 2, '61; Fall River; re-enlisted Dec. 28, '63; pris. of war 

Feb. 1, '64; d. Andersonville, Ga., Mar. 26, '64; grave No. 179. 
Joseph A. Moore, Sgt.; 18; July 2, '61 ; Gloucester; pro. 2d Lt. May 17, '63; transf. to Co. B. 
John Melvin, Sgt.; 23; July 2, '61; Fall River; disch. for disability Oct. 28, '63. 
John R. Nelson, Sgt.; 19; July 2, '61; Providence, R. I.; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 

Dec. 24, '63. 
Edward Owen, Sgt.; 20; July 2, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph A. Moore, Corp.; 18; July 2, '61; Gloucester. 
James Delaney, Corp.; 30; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

William Henrie, Corp.; 28; July 2, '61 ; Boston; transf. to New Co. D.; re-enlisted Dec. 5, '63. 
Charles S. Bolton, Corp.; 23; July 2, '61; Boston ; transf . to New Co. A.; re-enlist. Feb. 29, '64. 
Thomas Clymonts, Corp.; 19; July 2, '61; New Bedford; transf. to New Co. H.; re-enhsted 

Dec. 4, '63. 
Thomas Cochrane, Corp.; 19; July 2, '61; Fall River; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enUsted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Michael Joyce, Corp.; 22; July 2, '61; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas Kay, Corp.; 26; July 2, '61; Fall River; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Feb. 9, 

'64 ; killed Mar. 8, '65. 
Da\'id Patten, Corp.; 38; Aug. 16, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Charles W. Peters, Corp.; 21; July 16, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen. office, Mass. 
Robert Turner, Corp.; 30; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Whittaker, Corp.; 35; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George A. Johnson, Musician; 17; July 2, '61; Maiden; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlisted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Alexander D. Avignon, Musician; 17; Oct. 21, '61 ; Boston; disch. for disability Jan. 14, '63. 
George W. Eaton, Wagoner; 36; July 2, '61; Boston; accid. killed May 17, '64, by explos. 

of shell. 
John Bamett, Private; 24; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; ab. pris. of war since Feb. 1, '64. 
Leonard Barrows, Private; 28; July 25, '61; Bristol, R. I.; rejected Aug. 1, '61. 
William H. Batchelder, Private; 24; July 10, '61; Salem; transf. from Co. D. to Co. H. Sept. 

2, '62; disch. for disability Nov. 27, '63. 
Robert Bowers, Private; 31; July 2, '61; Brookline; drowned at Newbem, N. C. May 10, '62. 
James Boyle, Private; 20; July 2, '61; Boston; dsich. for disabiUty May 31, '63 at Newbem, 

N. C. 
James Broadbent, Private; 27; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; d. Apr. 10, '64; at Andersonville, Ga.; 

grave No. 465; prisoner of war. 
Joseph Brownley, Private; 22; July 2, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas Brassell, Private; 29; July 2, '61; Fall River; disch. for disability Sept. '61. 
Patrick Burke, Private; 26; July 2, '61; Fall River; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Feb. 

29, '64. 
Joseph L. Burton, Private; 20; Aug. 4, '62; Boston; pris. of war Feb. 1, '64; d. as pris. 

Columbia, S. C. Sept. 18, '64; prisoner of war. 
James Butterworth, Private; 30; July 10, '61; Fall River; deserted Aug. 13, '61. 
Michael Casey, Private; 21; Aug. 12, '62; Marblehead; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 2, '64 ; 

grave No. 4569; prisoner of war. 
William Charlesworth, Private; 28; July 2, '61; Boston; deserted Aug. 10, '61. 



56 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 



NAME. BANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Charles A. Clarke, Private; 18; July 2, '61; Maiden; transf. to 35th U. S. C. T. July '63; 

M. O. as 1st Lt. 35th U. S. C. Jan. 1, '66. 
Dennis Connor, Private; 22; July 2, '61; Fall River; d. June 11, '64, Andersonville, Ga; 

grave No. 1484; prisoner of war. 
Joseph Coogan, Private; 35; July 2, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Cornelius Desmond, Private; 22; July 10, '61; Fall River; disch. for disability May 30, '63. 
Samuel A. DolUber; Private; 18; Aug. 12, '62; Marblehead; transf. to New Co. D.; re-en- 
listed Jan. 1, '64. 
William Driver, Private; 39; July 10, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Dunn, Private; 34; July 2, '61; Fall River; disch. for disability Jan. 27, '62. 
William Eastham, Private; 30; July 2, '61; Fall River; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 
George Eaton, Private; 37; July 10, '61; Haverhill; transf. from Co. E.; killed May 18, '64. 
William Emerson, Private; 32; July 2, '61; Fall River; drowned May 10, '62, at Newbern, 

N. C. (Trent River). 
James Evans, Private; 32; July 2, '61; Fall River; d. July 2, '64, Andersonville, Ga.; grave 

No. 2785; prisoner of war. 
William Finlay, Private; 29; July 2, '61; Fall River; deserted Mar. 24, '62. 
James Fleming, Private; 18; Aug. 8, '62; Boston; d. Mar. 16, '64; Richmond, Va. as pris. 

of war; re-enlisted Jan. 1, '64. 
Thomas Fleming, Private; 18; Aug. 11, '62; Cambridge; deserted June 6, '63. 
James Fulee, Private; 24; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; drum, out of service Mar. 10, '62, at Balti- 
more, Md. 
William Garrett, Private; 37; Sept. 1, '61; Baltimore, Md.; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Gleason, Private; 19; July 2, '61; Fall River; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Dec. 

28, '63. 
Joseph Greenhalge, Private; 30; Aug. 1, '62; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas Griffin, Private; 30; July 2, '62; Fall River; transf. to 7th Reg. Mass. Jan. 22, '61, 

as a deserter from 7th Rgt. 
James Hallsworth, Private; 23; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Warren Handy, Private; 23; Aug. 26, '62; Brookline; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Abraham Hayward, Private; 22; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William Higham, Private; 39; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Samuel Howith, Private; 40; July 2, '61 ; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William Jackson, Private; 26; July 2, '61 ; Saugus; disch. for disability Feb. 27, '63 . 
John Jameson, Private; 23; July 2, '61; Fall River; deserted Oct. 23, '61. 
John Kay, Private; 33; July 2, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William J. Keliher, Private; 19; July 2, '61; Milford; transf. to New Co. E.; re-ealist, Dec . 

24, '63. 
Patrick Kerrigan, Private; 19; July 2, '61; Boston; disch. for disability Jan. 27, '62. 
James H. Kiely, Private; 18; Aug. 14, '62; Marblehead; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlist. 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Lawrence Kinney, Private; 32; July 2, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John C. Kunsman, Private; 27; July 2, '61; Boston; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. D3C . 

3, '63. 
John Levsey, Private; 38; July 2, '61; Providence, R. I.; deserted Aug. 12, '61. 
Thomas Long, Private; 21; July 2, '61; Blackstone; transf. to new Co. B; re-ealist. Dec. 26, 

'63. 
William Madden, Private; 28; July 2, '61; FaU River; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 
Henry Malone, Private; 43; July 2, '61; Fall River; disch. for disability Miy 22, '63 at 

Newbern, N. C. 
John Malone, 1st, Private; 30; July 2, '61 ; FaU River; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 
John Malone, 2d, Private; 28; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
David Massey, Private; 23 ; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; deserted Oct 25, '61. 

Patrick Maxwell, Private; 26; July 2, '61; Fall River;wounded Dec. 17, '62; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John McAlevy, Private; 18; Aug. 8, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



COMPANY H. 57 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OP ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

James McClusky, Private; 25; Aug. 4, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Thomas McClusky, Private; 27; Aug. 4, '61; Fall River; d. Jaa. 7, '63 at Newberu, N. C. 

Thomas McHugh, Private; .30; July 2, '61; Bostoa; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Angus McNab, Private; 26; July 2, '61 ; Cambridge; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John F. Mills, Private; 23; Feb. 14, '62; Bradford; transf. to New Cd. D; re-ealisted Dec. 

31, '63. 
Henry Morris, Private; 35; Dec. 19, '63; Fall River; pris of war, Feb. 1, '61; no further 

record in A. G. O'a office. 
Michael Neyland, Private; 27; July 10, '61; New Jersey; deserted Mar. 22, '62. 
John O'Keefe, Private; IS; July 2, '61; BDstoa; killed in action Apr. 21, '61, at Wuhinston, 

N.C. 
Joseph Oliver, Private; 24; July 2, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Benjamin Palmer, Private; 20; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Palmer, Private; 21; July 22, '62; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Matthew Palmer, Private; 24; July 22, '62; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph Perkins, Private; 21; July 22, '61; Fall River; disch. for disability Aug. 29, '63. 
Henry N. Perry, Private; 31 ; Aug. 16, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William PoUett, Private; 19; July 2, '61; Fall River; transf. tD New d. H; re-ealist. Dio. 

28, '63. 
William Ratcliffe, Private; 24; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William Ridgeway, Private; 22; July 29, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Riley, Private; 25; July 2, '61; Fall River; transf . to New Co. B; re-enlist. Dec. 22, '63. 
Thomas A. Rogers, Private; 21; Aug. 12, '62; Marblehead; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Thomas Rowcroft, Private; 30; July 2, '61; Fall River; drown. May 10, '62, at Newbern, 

N.C. 
Jacob Schanka, Private; 20; July 2, '61; Ip3wich; transf. to New Gj. B, re-ealist. Djc. 5, '6i. 
Horace C. Smith, Private; 27; Aug. 26, '62; Broakline; M. O. .\u?. 3, '61. 
Samuel Smith, Private; 40; July 2, '61 ; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '6i. 

William Stone, Private; 27; Aug. 15, '62; Marblehead; disch. for disability Au?. 13, '63. 
Joshua Stowell, Private; 35; July 2, '61; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles A. Trasher, Private; 18; July 2, '61; Fall River; transf. to New Co. B; re-ealist. 

Dec. 22, '63. 
Patrick Troy, Private; 32; July 2, '61; B3ston; transf. to New Go. D; re-enlist. Dae. 17, '63 ; 

pris. of war Feb. 1, '64; d. Anderson ville, Ga. Jan. 1, '65. 
Henry Tweathe, Private; 33 ; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; disch. for disability May 18, '62. 
Henry Walch, Private; 19; July 2, '61; Fall River; transf. as ab. pris. of war to Co. D; re- 
enlist. Dec. 19, '63; pris. of war, Feb. 1, '64. 
William Walch, Private; 28; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; deserted Oct. 7, '61. 
Frank Walsh, Private; 19; July 22, '61; Fall River; re-enlist. Dec. 17, '63; d. May 13, '61, 

Anderson ville, Ga. Gr. No. 1066; pris. of war. 
William Walton, Private; 34; July 2, '61 ; Providence, R. I.; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 
William Wardell, Private; 32; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; disch. for disability Feb. 12, '63. 
Aaron Warhurst, Private; 28; July 2, '61; Newbury; transf. to New Co. B.; re-ealist. Dec. 

22, '63. 
Leonard H. West; Private; 32; Aug. 18, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Wicks, Private; 23; July 12, '61; Amesbury; disch. for disability Jan, 10, '63.; transf. 

from Co. D. 
Joseph Wilkinson, Private; 35; Aug. 4, '62; Fall River; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Wilson, Private; 26; July 2, '61; Boston; pris. of war, Feb. 1, '61; no further record 

Adjt. Gen. office, Mass. 
Richard Wright, Private; 22; Sept. 2, '61; Baltimore, Md.; disch. for disability July 17, '63. 
George Woodcock, Private; 20; July 2, '61 ; Fall River; disch. for dis.ability June 6, '62. 
James Woods, Private; 24; July 2, '61 ; Boston; deserted Aug. 22, '61. 



58 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

COMPANY "I," LAWRENCE. 



"Saunders Guards." 

Of the circumstances attending the organization of this com- 
pany, but little is known or can be ascertained by the compiler 
of this history. It was a Lawrence company, and named after 
Hon. Daniel Saunders, ex-mayor of that city. Lieutenant James 
Moroney, who was promoted first lieutenant and transferred 
from Company E, in which he was serving as second lieutenant, 
thus writes of Company I, under date of February 9, 1909 : 

"In regard to Company I, I have been looking around to see 
if I could come across some one of the company, but there are 
none of them iii Haverhill. The greater part of them came from 
Lawrence. The poor fellows, I think, have nearly all passed away. 
The company was recruited in Lawrence. The officers were: 
Thomas Weir, captain; Michael Burns, first lieutenant; and Archi- 
bald Bogle, second lieutenant. The company mustered less men 
than any other in the regiment, and never was recruited to its 
full strength, which made guard duty pretty severe on the boys." 

The following is a roster of the company : 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "I." 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Thomas Weir, Capt.; 33; May 9, '61; Lawrence; dismissed July 3, '62. 

William W. Smith, Capt.; 24; July 3, '62; Danvers; transf. to Co. C. Aug. 14, '63. 

Nehemiah P. Fuller, Capt.; 31; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. July 30, '63 to 2d Hy. Art. 

Michael Bums, 1st Lt.; 21 ; May 9, '61 ; Lawrence; resigned Jan. 17, '62. 

James Moroney, 1st Lt.; 24; Jan. 3, '62; Haverhill; resigned Aug. 1, '62. 

Linus B. Comins, Jr., 1st Lt.; 20; May 17, '63; Roxbury; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Ezekiel F. Mann, 1st Lt.; 25; Aug. 13, '62; Boston; resigned May 16, '63. 

Archibald Bogle, 2d Lt.; 22; May 9, '61; Melrose; transf. to Co. F. Apr. '62. 

Horace Dexter, 2d Lt.; 36; Feb. 9, '62; Cambridge; transf. to Co. K. '62. 

Andrew Cook, 2d Lt.; 30; Aug. 13, '62; Danvers; resigned Apr. 26, '63. 

Lewis Cann, 2d Lt. 23; Apr. 26, '63; Danvers; transf. to New Organ. 

Charles W. Judge, l.st Sgt.; 24; July 22, '61; Haverhill; wounded May 22, '62; disch. for 

disability Jan. 3, '63. 
James Smith, 1st Sgt.; 24; July 11, '61; Danvers; transf. to New Co. G. as 2d Lt.; re-enlisted 

Mar. 25, '64. 
Thomas Earle, Sgt.; 20; Jan. 14, '62; Boston; disch. for disability at Newbem, N. C. Aug. 

25, '62. 



COMPANY I. 59 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Michael Killoran, Sgt.; 24; May 9, '61; Lawrence; d. Apr. 2, '64, Andersonville, Ga.; grave 

No. 296; prisoner of war. 
John O'Donnell, Sgt.; 23; May 2, '61 ; Lawrence; disch. for disability May 31, '62. 
Lauren tia Bailey, Segt.; 31; Oct. 25, '61; Groveland; transf. to N. C. S. as Sgt.-Maj. 
Michael Carney, Sgt.; 26; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Henry Holland, Sgt.; 23; Jan. 10, '62; Waltham; transf. to New Co. D. 
George O'Neil, Sgt.; 32; Dec. 31, '61; Boston; disch. for disability Sept. 2, '62. 
WilUam Powers, Sgt.; 23; May 10, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Richard Spring, Corp.; 23; May 10, '61 ; Lawrence; disch. for disability Jan. 16, '63. 
Edward Sands, Corp.; 24; May 10, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disability Sept. 4, '62. 
John Fendy, Corp.; 27; May 10, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Lunney, Corp.; 19; May 10, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disability July 16, '63. 
Joseph M. Fish, Corp.; 21; Dec. 28, '61; Glenn Falls, N. Y.; pro. and comd. in 12th N. Y. 

Vols., '62; wounded May, '62. 
Henry Byram, Corp.; 21; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Henry F. Marden, Corp.; 26; Jan. 13, '62; Haverhill; d. in Andersonville, Ga.; grave No. 

1733; wounded Dec. 17, '62; June 8, '64, prisoner of war. 
Michael Cavanaugh, Corp.; 22; May 1, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disability June 23, '63. 
James Carroll, Corp.; 23; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Theophilus Sanborn, Corp.; 32; Apr. 27, '61; Salisbury; transf. from Co. D.; d. in Anderson- 
ville, Ga., Apr. 5, '64; grave No. 392; prisoner of war. 
Edward G. Boyle, Musician; 16; May 9, '61; Boston; transf. to New Co. D.; re-enlisted 

Feb. 14, '64. 
John Groom, Musician; 18; Jan. 4, '62; Lowell; transf. to New Co. D. 
James H. Brown, Wagoner; 30; May 9, '61; Lynn; disch. for disability Feb. 11, '62, at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Holden Adams, Private; 25; Jan. 7, '62; ^^lethuen; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62. 
James Anderson; Private; 26; Jan. 23, '62; Medford; transf. to New Co. D. 
Thomas C. Boyle, Private; 33; July 4, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. D. 
Frank Brady, Private; 18; May 9, '61; Lawrence; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Dec. 

10, '63. 
James Brady, Private; 19; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George H. Brown, Private; 26; Jan. 21, '62; Boston; disch. for disability May 29, '63, at 

Newbem, N. C. 
James H. Brown, Private; 24; July 22, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disability Sept. 19, '61. 
James W. Brown, Private; 23; Jan. 10, '61; Boston; killed in act. May 23, '62, at Newbem, 

N.C. 
John H. Brown, Private; 39; Jan. 13, '62; Lynn; disch. for disability Jan. 1, '63. 
Simeon V. Bumpus, Private; 35; Dec. 23, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability Sept. 18, '62, 

at Newbem, N. C. 
John Burke, Private; 22; Jan. 6, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62. 
Patrick Bums, Private; 29; May 9, '61; Methuen; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
WiUiam Byrne, Private; 22; May 9, '61; Lawrence; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Feb. 

13, '64. 
Richard Carey, Private; 18; Jan. 21, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Sept. 13, '62. 
Joseph Cavanaugh, Private; 27; May 9, '61; Lawrence; disch. Sept. 10, '61. 
John A. Chase, Private; 18; Aug. 7, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Nov. 16, '62; rejected 

recruit. 
John Clark, Private; 27; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John S. Coleman, Private; 22; Jan. 7, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62. 
Michael H. Collins, Private; 22; May 9, '61 ; Lawrence; deserted July, '61. 
William T. Collyer, Private; 33; Jan. 20, '62; Newburyport; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62. 
Christopher Conroy, Private; 35; May 9, '61; Lawrence; never left state. 
John Cunningham, Private; 21; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



60 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John Curry, Private; 27; May 9, '61; Lawrence; d. July 14, '62, at Newbem, N. C. 
Maurice Dailey, Private; 20; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George A. Davitt, Private; 18; Jan. 18, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Sept. 14, '62. 
David Dilley, Private; 19; Jan. 23, '62; Lawrence; disch. Mar. 1, '62, at Baltimore, Md., 

for disability. 
Florence Donovan, Private; 20; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Donovan, Private; 19; May 9, '61; Lawrence, M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Dominick Dowd, Private; 19; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Doyle, Private; 27; May 9, '61 ; Lawrence; disch. for disability Dec. 29, '62. 
WilUam Ellison, Private; 22; Jan. 4, '62; Saugus; transf. to New Co. C. 

Christopher Fagan, Private; 18; July 22, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disability Sept. 17, '61. 
Daniel Farrington, Private; 35; July 24, '62; West Newbury; d. of wounds June 18, '62, at 

Newbem, N. C. 
Thomas Gallagher, Private; 23; July 22, '61; South Reading; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Patrick Gilliran, Private; 23; May 9, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disability July 10, '63. 
Daniel Goulding, Private; 28; May 9, '61; Lawrence; disch. fr disabiUty Dec. 5, '61, at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Martin Haskin, Private; 22; Jan. 27, '62; Medford; disch. for disabiUty June 23, '63. 
John Harkins, Private; 43; Dec. 26, '61; Lawrence; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Jan. 

5, '64. 
Patrick Harkins, Private; 19; Jan. 20, '62; Medford; disch. for disability July 10, '63. 
Edward Harmon, Private; 19; Oct. 1, '62; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Patrick Hill, Private; 22; May 9, '61; Lawrence; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Feb. 13, 

'64. 
Thomas Holland, Private; 19; May 9, '61; Lawrence; d. June 15, '64, at Anderson ville, Ga.; 

grave No. 1986. 
Joseph G. Ivers, Private ; 22; Dec. 14, '61; Newburyport; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62. 
Nehemiah C. Ivers, Private; 25; Jan. 14, '62; Newburyport; disch. for disability May 29, '63. 
John Ivory, Private; 20; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Franklin Jones (alias) Ames, Private; 18; Jan. 20, '62; Charlestown; deserted Jan. 26, '62. 
Nathaniel Jones, Private; 23; Dec. 11, '61; Lynn; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62, at Balti- 
more, Md. 
Daniel Keon, Private; 21; May 9, '61; Lowell; deserted Feb. 7, '62. 
Patrick Kiloran, Private; 22; May 9, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disabiUty July 10, '63, at 

Newbem, N. C. 
John Lahan, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disabiUty Nov. 23, '61, at Balti- 
more, Md. 
Joseph Lavalley, Private; 33; May 10, '61; Lawrence; d. June 24, '64, at Newborn, N. C. 
John O. Leary, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Lawrence; killed in action May 22, '62, at Newbem, 

N. C. 
John Lee, Private; 20; Jan. 21, '62; Boston; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enUsted Mar. 12, '64. 
Joseph Lilly, Private; 19; Jan. 23, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Mar. 1, '62. 
George O. Marden, Private; 22; Aug. 17, '62; Haverhill; d. at Andersonville, Ga., Apr. 12, 

'64; grave No. 503; prisoner of war; re-enlisted Jan. 1, '64. 
James J. Marshall, Private; 18; Jan. 28, '62; Newburyport; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enUsted 

Jan. 1, '64. 
Daniel Mason, Private; 26; Jan. 10, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. D. 
WiUiam Maxwell, Private; 29; Jan. 4, '62; Boston; disch. for disabiUty Feb. 10, '62, at 

Baltimore, Md. 
John McAlleer, Private; 19; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Daniel McCarty, Private; 33; Jan. 22, '62; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 4, '64. 
PhiUp McMahan, Private; 29; May 9, '61; Melrose; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enUsted Jan. 

5, '64. 
Thomas McMahan, Private; 20; May 9, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



COMPANY I. 61 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Bernard McMahon, Private; 25; Jan. 20, '62; Boston; disch. for disability June 19, '62. 

John McManus, Private; 22; May 9, '61; Lowell; disch. for disability Nov. 6, '61, at Balti- 
more, Md. 

Patrick McNamara, Private; 35; Dec. 16, '61; Lawrence; d. in AndersonviUe, Ga. Apr. 13, 
'64; grave No. 522; prisoner of war. 

John McShea, Private; 26; May 9, '61 ; Salem; never left state; deserted July '61. 

WilUam Metcalf, Private; 39; May 9, '61; Lawrence; deserted July '61; never left state. 

John Morgan, Private; 27; Dec. 30, '61; Boston; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62, at Balti- 
more, Md. 

John H. Morse, Private; 23; Jan. 2, '62; Haverhill; disch. for disability Feb. 7, '63. 

Henry Norris, Private; 35; Dec. 29, '63; Fall River; prisoner from Feb. 1, '64 to Apr. 28, '65. 
transf . from Co. D. to Co. I as ab. pris. disch. June 30, '65. 

William Norris, Private; 35; May 9, '61; Lawrence; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Dec; 
26, '63. 

Patrick O'Brien, Private; 33; Jan. 1, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Apr. 24, '63. 

William B. O'Connor, Private; 32; May 2, '61; Lawrence; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Samuel Pierson, Private; 28;' Jan. 10, '62; Newburyport; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62. 

Frank Powers, Private; 20; Aug. 23, '62; So. Danvers; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted 
Feb. 11, '64. 

Patrick Roach, Private; 19; Jan. 23, '62; Lawrence; disch. for disabiUty Mar. 3, '63. 

Peter Rogers, Private; 30; May 10, '61 ; Lawrence; disch. for disability Dec. 5, '61. 

Joseph Roland, Private; 35; Jan. 5, '62; Boston; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

John Sharkey, Private; 18; May 10, '61; Lawrence; deserted July, '61. 

Charles H. Simonds, Private; 31; Jan. 10, '62; Maiden; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62, at 
Baltimore, Md. 

Charles Stewart, Private; 32; May 10, '61; Lawrence; disch. fof disability Sept. 1, '63. 

George H. Stott, Private; 44; Dec. 26, '61; Lawrence; disch. for disabiUty Feb. 10, '62, at 
Baltimore, Md. 

Henry Tighe, Private; 36; Jan. 7, '62; Boston; disch. for disability Feb. 10, '62. 

John Ward, Private; 22; May 9, '61; Boston; disch. for disabiUty July 10, '63. 

Alfred Weeks, Private; 18; May 9, '61; So. Reading; deserted July '61; never left state. 

WilUs G. Whitmore, Private; 24; Jan. 18, '62; Newburyport; disch. for disabiUty Feb. 10, '62. 

WilUam Wilson, Private; 23; May 9, '61; Lawrence; transf. to New Co. B.; re-enlisted Mar. 
12, '64. 

Calvin W. Willis, Private; 49; Nov. 28, '63; Medford; d. in AndersonviUe, Ga., July 17, '64; 
grave No. 3464; transf. from Co. D to Co. I as ab. pris. of war. 



COMPANY "K;' MALDEN. 



"Malden Light Infantry." 

At the breaking out of the Civil War, the town of Maiden had 
a mihtary company known as the Maiden Light Infantry, which 
formed the nucleus of Company K of the Seventeenth Regiment, 
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. At a patriotic meeting of 



62 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

the citizens of Maiden, held April 20, 1861, a volunteer list was 
presented, and so large a number enrolled their names that the 
town felt warranted in organizing a company immediately, 
and the sum of $2,700 was soon subscribed by the citizens for 
uniforms and other articles necessary for the comfort of the 
volunteers. The ladies also contributed in aid of the company, 
and a fine silk flag was presented them. 

As organized for the war, the company was composed largely 
of men hailing from Maiden, though a considerable number 
were from Saugus, Medford, and a few from Melrose and Lynn. 
Captain Joseph R. Simonds of Melrose, of the old company, was 
elected captain of the new one; Ivory N. Richardson, first lieutenant 
and Henry W. Oliver of Maiden, second lieutenant. 

The company was organized on May 6, and was sustained 
by the town until they went into camp at Lynnfield, July 10, 1861. 

The following is a roster of the company : 

ORIGINAL COMPANY "K." 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Joseph R. Simonds, Capt. 43; Apr. 30, '61; Melrose; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Ivory N. Richardson, 1st Lt.; 23; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to Co. F, '62. 

Enoch F. Tompkins, 1st Lt.; 30; Apr. 26, '61; Haverhill; pro. Capt. and transf. to Co. B, 
Dec. 19, '61. 

Barnabas N. Mann, 1st Lt.; 36; Aug 22, '61; Chelsea; wounded at Goldsboro, Dec. 17, '63; 
d. Oct. 8, '64 in reb. pris. 

Jere A. Greeley 1st Lt. ; 27; Apr. 27, '61 ; Salisbury; transf. to Co. D; Nov. 7, '63. 

Henry W. Oliver, 2d Lt.; 31; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to Co. F, Jan. 1, '62. 

Charles G. Morse, 2d Lt.; 29; Feb. 20' 62; Haverhill; transf. to Co. G, Aug. 31, '62. 

Ezekiel^F.^Mann, 2d Lt.; 24; Nov. 3, '61; Boston; wounded at Goldsboro, Dec. 17, '62; 
transf. to Co. G, June 20, '62. 

Horace Dexter, 2d Lt.; 36; Feb. 9, '62; Cambridge; pro. 1st Lt. Regtl. Qm. Jan. 1, '63. 

Sylvanus M. Sovereen, 2d Lt.; 23; Jan 1, '63; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Henry A. Wentworth, 1st Sgt.; 27; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. June 2, '62 order war dept., 
for com. in another Reg. 

Eben Symonds, 1st Sgt.; 20; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; pro. 2d Lt.; transf. to New Co. F; re- 
enlist Dec. 19, '63. 

Sylvanus M. Sovereen, 1st Sgt. ;21; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; pro. 2d, Lt. Jan. 1, '63. 

Thomas James, 1st Sgt. 22; Apr. 3, '61 ; Medford; disch. for disability May 28, '63. 

James F. George, Sgt; 23; Apr. 30, '61; Melrose; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

George A. Eaton, Sgt.; 20; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability May 31, '62 at Balti- 
more, Md. 

George T. Cady, Sgt.; 19; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Levi Cox, Sgt.; 37; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist Dec. 14, '63. 



COMPANY K. 63 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Henry Foskett, Sgt.; 23; Apr. .30, '61; Maiden; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Mar. 19,'64; Gr. No . 

70, pris. of war. 
William Noble, Sgt.; 42; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus; disch. for disability Sept. 12, '62. 
David H. Cheever, Sgt.; 23; Apr. .30, '61 ; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James M. Ash, Corp. ; 25; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; disch. for disability May 25, '63. 
William Rankin, Corp.; 38; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; transf. to Co. A. 
David A. Barrett, Corp.; 22; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
William Bohanan, Corp.; 31; Apr. 30, '61; Haverhill; disch. for disability June 10, '62. 
James R. Gilchrist, Corp.; 40; Aug. 7, '62; Maiden; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Mar. 27, '64; 

Gr. No. 159; pris. of war. 
Charles H. Keene, Corp.; 19; Apr. 30, '61; Medford; M. O. .-Vug. 3, '64. 

George S. McAllister, Cons.; 19; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus; re-enlist. Dec. 4, '63; d. in Anderson- 
ville, Ga., Aug. 23, '64; Gr. No. 5060; pris. of war. 
PhiUp J. Mealey, Corp.; 20; Apr. 30, '61 ; Medford; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Gilman Page, Jr., Corp.; 19; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. Dec. 7, '63; pro. 2d Lt., 1st U. S. C. 

Cav. 
Taylor J. Valler, Corp.; 20; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Feb. 13, '64. 
Abel R. Wilson, Corp.; 19; July 22, '61 ; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64. 
William T. Ash, Corp.; 22; Oct. 12, '61 ; Suagus; M. O. Oct. 11, '64 at Boston, Mass. 
James M. Patterson, Corp.; 39; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. Dec. 

11, '63. 
George H. Penny, Corp. ; 23; Apr. 30, '61 ; Saugus; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George H. Lewis, Musician; 18; Apr. 30, '61; Medford; transf. to New Co A; re-enlist. Jan. 4, 

'64. 
John J. Patterson, Musician; 15; Jan. 22, '62; Baltimore, Md.; disch. expir. of term, July 

11. '65. 
David F. Redman, Muscian; 21; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disabiUty Dec. 14, '61. 
Franklin S. Ryorson, Wagoner; 33; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles Ames, Private; 35; July 21, '62; Charlestown; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Feb. 

13, '64. 
Louis Artault, Private; 20; Apr. 30, '61 ; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John A. Barnes, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Oscar Biebar, Private; 27; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; ab. pris. of war since Feb. 1, '64; no fur. 

rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Joseph P. Bittuer, Private; 23; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles W. A. Brown, Private; 21 ; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Benjamin F. Caimon, Private; 21 ; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John F. Carleton, Private; 24; April 30, '61 ; Saugus; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Reuben R. Coates, Private; 24; Apr. 30, '61 ; Saugus; disch. Oct. 9, '62 for disability. 
John H. Copp, Private; 24; Apr. 30, '61 ; Saugus; disch. for disability Sept. 11, '62. 
JamesM. Crawford, Private; 31; Aug. 7, '62; Maiden; wound. Dec. 17, '62; disch. for wounds 

May 21, '63, at Boston, Mass. 
Albert W. Crockett, Private; 19; Apr. 30, '61; Melrose; re-enlist. Jan 5, '64; d. Anderson- 
ville, Ga.Aug. 1, '64; Gr. No. 4483, pris. of war. 
William H. Cruse, Private; 25; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. Dec. 

7, '63. 
James L. Dale. Private; 21; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Jan. 4, '64. 
Thomas Dane, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61; Medford; transf. to New Co. A.; re-enlist. Feb. 13, 

'64. 
John Driscoll, Private; 34; Aug. 11, '62; Maiden- M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
John Driscoll, Private; 21 ; Oct. 20, '61 ; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen'ls office, Mass. 
Robert ElUs, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61 ; Medford; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Finn, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Edward Fitzgerald, Private; 21; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; expir. of serv. Sept. 2, '64 . 



64 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK."^ AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT, f RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Daniel Flye, Private; 21; July 22, '61; Saugus; transf. to New Co. C; re-enlist. Feb 13, '64. 
Joseph W. Flye, Private; 25; July 22, '61; Saugus; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '63 at New- 

bem, N. C. 
Thomas Gateley, Private; 18; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Wilham S. Gibbs, Private; 19; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Graham, Private; 31 ; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
George H. Grover, Private; 20; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; disch. Sept. 2, '62 for disability. 
John C. Grover, Private; 18; July 22, '61; Melrose; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. Dec. 

28, '63. 
Brinsley P. Guilford, Private; 40; Apr. 30, '61 ; Saugus; M .0. Aug. 3, '64. 
Noah G. Harriman, Private; 28; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus; disch. for disability Nov. 23, '61 at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Joseph W. Haynes, Private; 23; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist. 

Jan. 5, '64. 
Jesse Hitchings, Private; 38;jApr. 30, '61; Saugus; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas Hopwood, Private; 35;jAug. 12, '62; Lowell; deserted Apr. 22, '63. 
Oliver Jenness, Private; 24; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability Oct. 31, '61 at Balti- 
more, Md. 
George H. Johnson, Private; 23 ; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; disch. for disability Jan 8, '62. 
George L. Johnson, Private; 23; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability Apr. 18, '63. 
George M. Keen, Private; 19; Feb. 13, '62; Medford; transf . to New Cos. A and E; re-enlist. 

Jan. 4, '64. 
Thomas J. Kelley, Private; 32; Nov. 20, '63; Maiden; transf. to New Co. C. 
Samuel S. Kendrick, Private; 41; Aug. 7, '62; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Raymond Kennedy, Private; 21; Aug. 15, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Samuel Kenny, Private; 30; Apr. 30, '61 ; Medford; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles A. Kidder, Private; 19; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
> Thomas Kirwan, Private; 32; Aug. 11, '62; Maiden; disch. for disabiUty May 30, '63. 
X Samuel Langley, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

WilUam J. Laskey, Private; 39; Aug. 27, '62; Boston; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Augustus B. Lewis, Private; 22; Aug. 8, '62; Maiden; disch. for disability June 23, '63. 

Maurice Mader, Private; 32; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability Dec. 14, '61 at 

Baltimore, Md. 
Cyrus L. Marston, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; d. Nov. 2, '62 at Newbern, N. C. 
David T. Marston, Private; 30; Aug. 29, '62; Taunton; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

William C. McAllister, Private; 27; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability June 23, '64. 
Michael McDonnell, Private; 20; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; deserted Aug. 23, '61. 
William McElroy, Private; 32; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability Nov. 23, '62. 
MichaelMcKeon, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Thomas McNally, Private; 18; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; disch. for disability Oct. 6, '63. 
Joseph E. Mills, Private; 18; July 22, '61; Boston; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. Dec. 4, 

'63. 
Wilham Mirrick, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Charles J. Moore, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; disch. for disabiUty Aug. 31, '62. 
Edward Moran, Private; 21; Apr. 30, '61; Malen; disch. for disability Dec. 9, '63. 
Andrew Morton, Private; 18; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability Sept. 12, '62. 
George W. Moulton, Private; 38; Apr. 30, '61 ; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
James Nelson, Private; 42; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Maurice O'Riley, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; transf. to New Co. B; re-enlist. Dec. 26, 

'63. 
Gilbert Page, Private; 21 ; July 22, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Torry Peabody, Jr., Private; 25; Apr. 30,'61 ; Melrose; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Alonzo Penny, Private; 25; Apr. 30, '61; Lynn; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 
Joseph H. Putnam, Private; 24; Apr. 30, '61: Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



COMPANY K. 65 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Edwin W. Reed, Private; 24; Apr. 30, '61 ; Saugus; disch. for disability Aug. 15, '6.3. 

Charles Renand, Private; 34; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; disch. for disability June 23, '63. 

Francis Revoire, Private; 40; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden: disch. fordisability Feb. 1, '63. 

James Roots, Jr., Private; 40; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus; disch. fordisability Sept 11, '62. 

John Rosenbach, Private; 27; July 22, '61; Newburyport; M. O.Aug. 3, '64. 

Daniel M. Russell, Private; 32; April 30,;61; Maiden ;'M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Otis T. Simonds, Private; 29; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. fordisability Feb. 1, '63. 

John Smith, Private; 31; Oct. 23, '61; Boston; re-enlist. December 29, '63; d. at Ander- 
sonville, Ga., May 8, '64. Gr. No. 976; pris. of war. 

John S. Smith, Private; 44; Oct. 26, '62; Taunton ;j_transf. to New Co. A; re-enlist Feb. 11, 
'64. 

Thomas Smith, Private; 21 ; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; disch. for disability Apr. 2, '63 

Thomas H. Speed, Private; 34; Aug. 7, '62; Maiden; d. Mar. 25, '64 in Richmond, Va., 
pris. of war. 

William Stack, Private; 27: Apr. 30, '61 ; Malden;'_M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

WilUam L. Stocker, Private; 30; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus ;>I. 0._Aug. 3, '64. 

Homer R. Stratton, Private; 20; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden"; disch. for disability Apr. 17, '63. 

Joseph Stratton, Jr., Private; 26; July 22, '61; Chelsea; disch. for disability June 23, '63. 

Charles W. Sweetser, Private; 22; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Lewis W. Thompson, Private; 36; Apr. 30, '61; Lynn; M. O.'Aug. 3, '64.^ 

James M. Tufts, Private; 41 ; Aug. 7, '62 ; Malden;'M. O. Aug". 3, '64. 

Daniel Waitt, Private; 26; Apr. 30, '61; Medford; disch. for disability Oct.'26, '61 at Balti- 
more, Md. 

Harrison Waitt, Private; 21; Apr. 30, '61; Maiden; disch. for disability Feb. 16, '62 at 
Baltimore, Md. 

Michael Welch, Private; 30; Apr. 30, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

Charles A. Wells, Private; 26; July 22, '61; Charlestown; Nov. 23, '61, at Balrimore; disch. 
for disability. 

James W. Wilson, Private; 28; July 22, '61 ; Maiden; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 

John H. Wilson, Private; 21; Apr. 30, '61; Saugus; M. O. Aug. 3, '64. 



CHAPTER III. 



Portraits with Biographies of Field and Staff — Company 
Officers — 17th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry — 
First Organization. 



COLONEL THOMAS ISAAC COFFIN AMORY. 

Thomas I. C, Amory was born in Boston, Mass., November 
27, 1828. He was the son of Jonathan Amory, who succeeded his 
father in business in the house of Jonathan Amory & Son, and who 
was United States Dispatch Agent during the Civil War. His 
wife, the mother of Thomas I. C. Amory, was a Miss Austin, whose 
father, an Enghsh physician, owned a sugar plantation in Demarara, 
British Guiana,where Miss Austin was born in 1809. Thomas I. 
C. Amory 's grandfather, Jonathan Amory, died in Boston about 
the time he (Colonel Amory) was born, and had been a successful 
merchant. He married a daughter of James Sullivan, who had 
been attorney-general, was the sixth governor of Massachusetts, 
and whose brother was General John Sullivan of the Revolutionary 
Army, and governor of New Hampshire. 

T. I. C. Amory 's younger days were passed mostly at board- 
ing-schools, and he spent some time at a boarding-school in New- 
port, R. I. His father's family were living at Roxbury, Mass., in 
1846, when he received his appointment as a cadet to West Point, 
from which he was graduated in 1851. Upon graduation he was 
brevetted second lieutenant and assigned to the 7th United States 
Infantry, in which regiment he served until 1860, when he was 
ordered to Boston on recruiting service, and was there on duty at 

the breaking out of the Civil War. 

(66) 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 



67 



He was commissioned second lieutenant in the regular army, 
August 21, 1851; first lieutenant, October 16, 1855; captain, May 
7, 1861; and major of the 8th United States Infantry, September 
19, 1864. His service with the 7th United States Infantry was 
mostly in the West and Southwest. He was for a time at Jefferson 
Barracks, Mo., and afterwards at Fort Smith, Ark. At the latter 
place he married, in 1853, Miss Nolan, who died a few days before 
her husband, in October, 1864, at Beaufort, N. C. Their oldest 
son died at Newberne, N. C, in 1863. Their oldest daughter 
died in 1878, while at school at Pelham Priory, New Rochelle, 
N* Y. The other children— two sons and a daughter— are still 
hving— one of the sons in Wilmington, Del., the other son and 
daughter in New York City. 

At the breaking out of the Civil War, Thomas I. C. Amory, 
then a lieutenant, was for a time the only regular army offtcer in 
Massachusetts, and was very useful to Governor Andrew in offermg 
opinion and advice as to equipment and organization of the first 
regiments that went to the front from this state. He was also 
Acting Commissary of Musters of the first regiments going from 
Massachusetts into the United States Service, until Governor 
Andrew insisted upon his going to Baltimore to take command 
-of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, of which 
regiment he was commissioned colonel September 12, 1861. The 
regiment had been in Baltimore nearly two months, under command 
of Lieut-Col. Fellows, when Colonel Amory joined it, but he soon 
became a great favorite with the men for his uniform courtesy 
and kindness to all, and for the interest which he manifested in the 
efficiency and welfare of the regiment. He was a good disciplina- 
rian, without being unnecessarily strict or exacting, and was always 
ready to fisten to complaints or grievances of the men, and to do 
all in his power to make army fife pleasant to them. 

After the regiment was sent to Newberne, N. C, early in 1862, 
Colonel Amory, much to the regret of the officers and men, was 
detached as acting brigadier-general and the Seventeenth knew 
him only as commander of the brigade of which it formed a part. 
But they knew that he still retained a lively interest and affection 
for his old command. He was in active command of his brigade 



68 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

in North Carolina, and participated in all the expeditions and 
battles in that department until the latter part of 1864. 

When the Seventeenth Regiment was reorganized, after the 
expiration of its term of service in July, 1864, he became colonel 
of the new regiment, though he still retained command of the 
brigade to which it was attached, at Morehead City, Captain 
Henry Splaine being placed in command of the regiment, of which 
he afterwards became colonel. 

In the fall of 1864, yellow fever broke out in the depart- 
ment of North Carolina, and was very destructive among the Ne- 
groes that congregated there. A negro servant in Colonel Amory 's 
family, it was said, brought the fever into it, which resulted in the 
death of Mrs. Amory and her mother, and a few days later the 
colonel succumbed to the same disease. His death occurred at 
Beaufort, N. C, on October 7, 1864. 

One of the members of Company G, of the Seventeenth 
(Thomas H. Taylor), writing in an article published in the ''Salem 
Gazette,' ' September 17, 1886, of the experiences of his company 
in the regiment, some twenty-five years after the close of the war, 
said of him: 

"Colonel T. I. C. Amory fell a victim to this terrible disease. 
He was one of the few commanding officers who remained at his 
post of duty, and in doing so, fell a victim. A perfect soldier and 
a gentlemen. His loss was sincerely mourned by all the depart- 
ment.' ' 

To show how sincere and lasting was the affection that Col. 
Amory inspired in the men of the Seventeenth, at the annual re- 
union of the surviving members of that regiment, on August 28, 
1899, his youngest daughter, Mrs. Laura Amory Dugan, who was 
born in Newberne, N. C, in May, 1864, during the third Confed- 
erate attack on that city, was elected a member of the Regimental 
Association, and adopted as the "Daughter of the Regiment." 

Col. T. I. C. Amory was brevetted Brigadier-General before 
his death. He will always be kindly remembered by his comrades 
as long as any one of them survives. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 69 

LIEUT.-COLONEL JOHN FOSTER FELLOWS. 

John Foster Fellows was the son of Oliver and Sarah Fellows, 
He was born at Ipswich, Mass., on January 8, 1815. When but 
six weeks old, his parents moved to Salem, where he lived until 
1842. He was educated in the public schools of that city. At the 
age of twenty-eight years he moved to Boston, and became con- 
nected with the "Boston Atlas" (the organ of the Whig Party in 
Massachusetts) as chief book-keeper. He was also connected with 
the "Boston Courier" for several years. He was, at the time of 
his death, one of the oldest militia officers in the state. In 1845, 
he became a resident of Chelsea. 

He joined the Salem Infantry in 1835, and was made corporal 
of the company October 1st of that year. He became sergeant 
October 25, 1837, and lieutenant in the same company in 1842. 
After his removal to Chelsea, he organized, on September 20, 1852, 
the Chelesa Light Infantry, Company F, Seventh Regiment, 4th 
Brigade, 2d Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. He was 
commissioned captain of the Chelsea company October 7, 1852. 

In 1855 or 1856, while Captain Fellows was in command of the 
company, the community was disturbed by the ranting of a re- 
ligious fanatic, who was styled the Angel Gabriel, because he carried 
a trumpet, on which he would blow a blast from time to time, in 
order to attract attention and draw a crowd to hear him. This 
fellow did not confine himself to preaching on the Custom House 
steps and other places in Boston, but took in the suburbs as well. 
On one particular Sunday, Gabriel was advertised to hold forth 
in Chelsea, and a crowd of fanatics and others followed him, the 
latter principally to "see the fun." In Chelsea they were joined 
by other crowds, and the Roman Catholic Church on Mount 
Bellingham was attacked and threatened with destruction. See- 
ing the danger from the mob. Captain Fellows assembled his com- 
pany, marched them to the scene of the riot, saved the church, 
dispersed the mob, and then made application to the proper au- 
thorities for leave to call out his company. 

This episode well illustrates the character of the man who 
afterwards played so prominent a part in the Civil War, as the 



70 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

officer in command of the Seventeenth MassachusettsVolunteer In- 
fantry. He resigned the command of the Chelsea Light Infantry, 
November 20, 1857. He was commissioned captain and quarter- 
master of the Fourth Brigade, 2nd Division, M. V. M., Aug.20,1858. 

At the beginning of the Civil War, Captain Fellows was 
stationed at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, as quartermaster on the 
staff of General Joseph Andrews, commanding the fort. He was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Seventeenth Massachusetts 
Volunteer Infantry, August 21, 1861. On August 22d, Governor 
Andrew went into the adjutant-general's office, and expressed a 
desire that the Seventeenth Regiment should start for the front 
the following day. Colonel Fellows was at Fort Warren, and the 
boat had made its last trip for the day, when the news of the 
departure of the regiment was received. Adjutant John G. 
Chambers volunteered to have Colonel Fellows in Boston that 
night. This he accomplished with a sailboat. 

Colonel Fellows took command of the Seventeenth Regiment 
on August 23, 1861, at Lynnfield, and the regiment left Massa- 
chusetts for the front that night. Colonel Fellows commanded 
the regiment until Colonel Amory assumed command in Baltimore, 
Md. When the regiment left Baltimore, March 27, 1862, in two 
steamers, Colonel Fellows commanded five companies on one of 
the steamers. 

The regiment arrived in Newberne, N. C, April 1, 1862, and 
the following day Colonel Amory was assigned to the command 
of the First Brigade of Foster's Division, Burnsides Corps. From 
that time up to the time the regiment served its term of enlistment 
except after his capture at Batchelder's Creek, February 1, 1864, 
Colonel Fellows was in active command the greater part of the 
time. The story of the capture of a section of the Seventeenth 
Regiment, with all its officers, is told elsewhere. Colonel Fellows was 
confined in Libby Prison, in Richmond, in Macon, Ga., Colum- 
bia, S. C, Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S. C, in which latter 
place, he, with other Union officers, was lodged in a section of the 
city which was exposed to the bombardment from guns of Fort 
Wagner, on Morris Island. But the prisoners were fortunate in 
the fact that the building in which they were lodged was not hit, 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 71 

though many of those in the vicinity received serious injury. At 
the end of the siege he was exchanged and returned home much 
exhausted by the strain upon his nervous system. He was dis- 
charged August 3, 1864, and commissioned colonel October 9, 
1864, but was not mustered. 

Colonel Fellows was a good officer and a brave man. He was 
at the head of his regiment in every encounter up to the time of his 
capture. He was popular with the officers and men, and his cap- 
ture was greatly deplored by them. There were few more faithful, 
loyal and efficient officers in the department of North Carolina 
than Colonel Fellows. 

Before the war, Colonel Fellows filled a number of important 
offices in his home city. He was elected and served as a member 
of the Chelsea Common Council for 1857, and a member of the 
Board of Aldermen for 1858. He was a charter member of Pales- 
tine Commandery Knights Templars, Royal Arch Chapter of 
Skekinah, and Past Master of Robert Lash Lodge F. and A. M., and 
also a member of Theodore Winthrop Post 35, G. A. R. 

He was appointed deputy collector of internal revenues of the 
4th district by Collector Sargent, in 1868, and held that position 
until the 4th district office was abolished. He was also treasurer 
of the Chelsea Savings Bank for twelve years, which position he 
resigned on account of ill health a few months before his death, 
which occurred at his residence in Chelsea, after a lingering illness, 
of paralysis of the brain, on July 6, 1888. 

Two sons and two daughters survived him, one of the former 
of whom is Capt. Charles O. Fellows, who served with distinction 
in both the old and new organizations of the Seventeenth Regi- 
ment. Colonel Fellows was a gentleman in every sense of the 
word, and his bearing towards one and all was with the courtesy 
belonging to the old school. He was beloved by all who knew or 
came in contact with him. At his funeral the body was escorted 
by the veterans of the Seventeenth Regim-ent Association, under 
Colonel Henry Splaine; by commands of Theodore Winthrop Post 
35, G. A. R.; and by delegations of the Masonic fraternities to 
which he belonged. Thus fittingly closed the useful life of a brave 
and loyal man both in war and in peace. 



72 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

MAJOR JONES FRANKLE. 

One of the best known and most active officers of the depart- 
ment of North Carolina during the Civil War was Major Jones 
Frankle of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. 
Not only was he on active duty with his regiment during his con- 
nection with it, but he assumed and discharged other military func- 
tions with zeal. He became colonel of the Second Massachusetts 
Heavy Artillery, which he personally recruited, and was promoted 
to brevet brigadier-general at the close of the war. Major Frankle 
was a strict disciplinarian, and was strictly honorable in all rela- 
tions with men in and out of the military service. 

Jones Frankle was born in Silesia, a province of southeastern 
Prussia, April 17, 1829. He was educated in the pubhc school of 
his native town until, at the age of fourteen, he was entered at the 
gymnasium of Breslau, the capital of the province of Silesia. At 
the age of nineteen he entered the University of Breslau. At this 
time also, he was enrolled as a one-year volunteer in the regular 
army of Prussia, to serve for promotion. According to the usage 
obtaining at the time, the volunteer for a year's service had to 
maintain himself during the probationary period, at the end of 
which time, if he passed examination, he was received as an officer 
in the regular service. 

At the close of the year, young Frankle passed the examination 
and qualified for lieutenant in the landwehr, or reserve force, of the 
regular army. In the meantime the dispute with Denmark, in 
regard to boundary, and other matters, known as the Scleswig- 
Holstein affair, had led to hostilities between Prussia and Den- 
mark, and the regiment to which Lieutenant Frankle was attached 
was ordered to the scene of strife. This was in 1848. In this war 
and subsequently he served two years, when he returned to the 
University to resume his studies. 

In 1854, he came to the United States, landing in New York. 
He did not remain long in that city, but came to Boston. From 
the latter city, he drifted north to Essex County, finding occupa- 
tion in the cities and towns of the Merrimac Valley — Newburyport, 



yr^~ 




Laura Carolina Amort. 



Frederick T. Greenhalge. 





Capt. Edward T. Parkinson. 



Lieut. Philip C. AL\son, Co. "A." 



I 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 73 

Amesbury, West Newbury and Haverhill — as a teacher in high 
schools and private classes of the French and German languages. 

Mr. Frankle's first essay to obtain military service was when 
he joined the Ben Perley Poore Battalion at West Newbury as 
lieutenant. This battalion was afterwards incorporated a com- 
pany of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment, with Captain 
Stanwood in command. Mr. Frankle's duty with this })attalion 
was that of drill-master. He, however, remained with it only two 
weeks, when he received from Governor Andrew a commission as 
captain, and was assigned to the Fourteenth Massachusetts In- 
fantry (afterwards the First Heavy Artillery), which 'was then in 
process of formation. But the men of the company which he was 
to command, and which was only partially filled, were, in the final 
re-arrangement of companies, distributed among other companies 
of the regiment, and the captain was ^\dthout a command. 

To make amends for the disappointment, however. Captain 
Frankle received the appointment of major, and was assigned to 
the Seventeenth Regiment, then in process of formation at Camp 
Schouler in Lynnfield. Colonel Fellows joined the regiment the 
same day of its departure for the seat of war, August 23d. At 
Baltimore, Colonel Amory took command of the regiment. 

In the early part of 1863, Major-General Foster noting how 
inadequately the city of Newberne was defended from attack by 
land (and there had been several attacks made by the Confederates 
up to that time) wrote to Governor Andrew, suggesting that a 
regiment of heavy artillery be raised and equipped by the state of 
Massachusetts, and recommending that Major Frankle be com- 
missioned to raise and command such a regiment. In response to 
this request. Governor Andrew issued an order for the recruitment 
of such a regiment in the state, appointing Major Frankle as colonel 
of the same. The major returned to Boston, in May, 1863, and 
began the work of enlisting the new regiment. He met with such 
success that in September of that year he had the regiment recruited 
to its full complement of 1800 men, and returned with it to New- 
berne, where he manned the forts about the city. 



74 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

While Colonel Frankle was in command of the defences of 
Newberne, the yellow fever broke out, and raged with violence in 
that city and its vicinity, Colonel Amory of the Seventeenth Massa- 
chusetts being one of its victims. At this time, General Palmer, 
who was in command of the district of North Carolina, went to 
Washington, and General Harland, who commanded the district 
of Newberne, assumed his duties. This change left that post 
vacant, and Colonel Frankle, who was the only available officer of 
sufficient rank, assumed command of the Newberne district. 

Stories and anecdotes without number have been told of Major 
Frankle. He was known as the " Little Major.' ' 

Since the above sketch was written, General Frankle, who had 
suffered from, prostatitis, and had undergone surgical treatment 
for it, succumbed to the disease, and died on April 15, 1909 — two 
days before completing his eightieth year. 



MAJOR LUTHER DAY. 

Major Luther Day was born in Bradford, Mass., February 23, 
1829. He was of old Colonial stock, being descended from one of 
three brothers who came from England and settled at Ipswich 
in 1635. His grandfather, Moses Day, settled at Ward Hill, 
Bradford, in 1770, whose son, Joseph Day, married Fideha Hale, 
June 20, 1824. Joseph and his wife were the parents of Bailey, 
Judson, Luther, Fideha, Pearl, George W. and Joseph Warren 
Day. Joseph Warren Day was a lieutenant in the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts with the major. Major Day married twice, his 
first wife being Martha Jane Shattuck, whom he married October 
17, 1850. Their children were Helen Eva (Currier) Day and 
Martha Jane. ' His second wife was Emeline Eaton Clement of 
Newburyport, whom he married July 13, 1867. There were born 
from this marriage Luther Clement, Anne M., Albert B., and 
Marion L. Luther C, when a young fellow, joined the 46th 
United States Volunteers, for service in the Philippines, where 
he served two years. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 



75 



Major Day was one of the first captains to organize a company 
of volunteers in the early spring of 1861. On the 19th of April, 
1861, he went to Boston to see the Hale Guards ojff to Washington, 
and while in Boston took out enhstment papers at the State House. 
Upon his return home, he, with others, recruited a full company 
in one day. The captaincy was offered to Dr. A. K. Towle, who 
declined, and Mr. Day was unanimously elected captain, and was 
commissioned as such April 26, 1861 . Captain Day made several 
efforts to have his company put into camp and receive recognition 
as a mihtary body. He failed to do this so often that, discouraged, 
he went to Governor Andrew, and told him that he and his com- 
pany were about to join a New York regiment. 

The governor, seeing that Captain Day meant all that he 
said, ordered the company into camp. This relieved the town and 
people of Haverhill from the expense of supporting the company 
and aiding some of the famihes of the members. 

The captain was mustered into United States service July 22, 
1861, and was promoted major December 29, 1863. He was 
mustered out at expiration of service August 3, 1864. 

Major Day was a handsome man, of commanding appearance, 
extremely neat and painstaking and strictly a business officer. He 
was known among the officers and men of the command as a strict 
and unbending disciplinarian, yet never forgetting to look after 
the interests of the command. 

Major Day died in Haverhill May 30, 1896. 



ADJUTANT BARNABAS N. MANN. 

Barnabas N. Mann was born in Chelsea, Mass., in 1824, of a 
very respectable family. Quite early in life he manifested a strong 
inclination for a military career, and as early as September 30, 



76 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

1852, he became a member of the Chelsea Light Infantry, which 
company had been organized and commanded by the late Col. 
John F. Fellows of Chelsea. Mr. Mann enlisted as a private, but 
later became first sergeant of the company, and at the beginning 
of the Civil War, was adjutant of the 7th Regiment, M. V. M. 

When the Seventeenth Regiment was organized at Lynnfield, 
in 1861, Barney Mann (as he was familiarly called) was commis- 
sioned a first lieutenant, and appointed adjutant. In this con- 
nection it may be truly said that he was one of the most faithful, 
painstaking and efficient officers the regiment ever had.' 

During the stay of the command in Baltimore, Lieut. Mann 
was married to Miss Love, an estimable lady of that city. 

He was taken prisoner on the morning of February 1, 1864, at 
Batchelder's Creek, N. C, and died October 8, of the same year 
in a rebel prison. 

Barnabas N. Mann was a firm friend to Colonel Fellows and 
a trusted official. Who among the survivors of the regiment that 
does not remember his soldierly presence and masterly activity? 
"I beheve," writes John H. Tyler, "that he cfid more to promote 
discipline and good order in the early days of the regimental history 
than any other officer that we had.' ' 

Notable among his many brave acts was the burning of the 
Goldsboro railroad bridge, on December 17, 1862. Gen. J. G. 
Foster, commanding the Union forces on that occasion, had de- 
tailed Capt. George W. Graham to burn that bridge, and although 
the latter wore the uniform of a Confederate officer that day, he 
failed in his attempt to fire the bridge. In running back from the 
bridge, after his failure, he exclaimed, ''No use! No use! It can't 
be done!" Thereupon General Foster ordered Colonel Fellows, 
commanding the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry, to make a 
detail to burn the bridge. When Colonel Fellows called for volun- 
teers, many stepped forward. From these he chose Lieut. Barnabas 
N. Mann and Privates Edmands and Besse of Company A. Lieu- 
tenant Mann and his aids, amid a hail of bullets, approached the 
bridge, set fire to it, and it was quickly destroyed. Lieutenant 
Mann was severely wounded in this heroic enterprise, from the 
effects of which he never fully recovered. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 77 

Barney Mann has answered the last roll call. He went to his 
death in the Southland with the conviction that he had done his 
duty to his country and its flag; and while his death was far from 
kindred, and among the enemies of his country, it was a noble one — 
one of self-sacrifice — the death of a true man and a hero. 



ADJUTANT HENRY A. CHEEVER. 

There are but few ofhcers or men of the Seventeenth Regiment 
more deserving of credit and prominent mention than the late 
Adjutant Cheever. 

Henry A. Cheever was the son of Deacon Joseph Cheever, and 
was born in Salem, Mass., in 1839. His family removed to Chelsea, 
Mass., when Henry was a young lad, and it was in Chelsea that he 
was educated and obtained his early training for the military ser- 
vice which he so faithfully performed. He was graduated from the 
High School but a short time before the Civil War broke out. In 
his youth he was prominent in the affairs of the town. He was one 
of the organizers of the Chelsea Library Association, and was also 
active in the fire department in those days, and was captain of the 
Chelsea Wide-awakes in the Lincoln and Hamlin campaign in 1860. 
He was also a member of Company F, 7th Regiment, M. V. M., 
which company was commanded at the time by the late lamented 
Colonel John F. Fellows. 

Mr. Cheever was commissioned a first lieutenant in the early 
part of the Civil War, was assigned to the Seventeenth Regiment, 
and was appointed adjutant to succeed the late Barnabas N. Mann. 
That he proved himself to be a thoroughly eflacient officer is well 
known to the survivors of his regiment. 

Adjutant Cheever was severely wounded at Batchelder's 
Creek, N. C, on the morning of February 1st, 1864, was taken pris- 
oner, and his life saved only by the efforts and skill of the late Sur- 



78 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

geon Galloupe. Indeed, his death was currently reported at con- 
siderable length in the Boston papers at the time. He recover- 
ed, however, and returned to his home in Chelsea, and after a 
season of recuperation, returned to his regiment. But his wound 
was a source of constant annoyance to him to the day of his death. 

Henry A. Cheever was naturally a genial man, sometimes 
erratic in temperament, but that was always overlooked by those 
who knew and loved him for his sterling good qualities. He made 
and kept strong friendships for more than half a century, and when 
the last words were spoken over what was once Henry Cheever, 
men who knew him best realized that a good man had gone beyond 
recall, and those friends sincerely mourn his loss. 

Adjutant Cheever was married to Miss DeBacon of Chelsea. 
The fruit of that union was one daughter, whom Henry idolized. 
She was taken away in early childhood, however, and from that 
moment the spirit of the father was broken, and without doubt he 
brooded over the loss of his daughter until the day of his death. 

He was engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York soon after 
the war, and was for some time an emploj^ee of the Treasury De- 
partment at Washington, D. C. During the latter portion of his 
life he was engaged in the prosecution of pension claims. He 
opened an office in Boston, which was known to thousands of old 
soldiers throughout the state as "The Adjutant's Tent," where 
veterans of the war were always welcome. 

He was formerly a member of the Theodore Winthrop Post 
35, G. A. R., of Chelsea, but later became a member of John A. An- 
drew Post 15, G. A. R., of Boston. He was also a member of 
Hooker Command, U. V. U. He died in Boston in 1903, and his 
body was escorted to the grave at Woodlawn Cemetery, Chelsea, 
by a delegation of Hancook Command, U. V. U. of Chelsea. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 79 

DR. I. F. GALLOUPE. 

Isaac Francis Galloupe, physician and surgeon, eminent in 
both branches of the curative art, was born in Beverly, Mass., 
June 27, 1823. He was the son of Isaac and Annie (Allen) Gal- 
loupe, a descendant of an old Colonial family of Essex County. 
He was educated in the public schools and the academy of his na- 
tive town, and by private tutelage. He afterwards studied medi- 
cine at the Tremont Street Medical School in Boston, where he 
obtained his diploma of M. D. in March, 1849. 

He began as a physician at Lynn, Mass., in 1849, where he 
soon built up an extensive practice. On November 27, 1854, he 
married Lydia Davis Ellis, by whom h'e had two sons — Francis 
Ellis, who is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- 
nology, with the degree of S. B., 1876, in mechanical engineering, 
and Charles William, a graduate of Harvard College, A. B., 1879, 
and M. D. of Harvard Medical School. The latter is a practising 
physician of Boston. 

Dr. Galloupe was well known to every comrade who served 
in the Civil War in the department of North Carolina, where he 
served as regimental, brigade and division surgeon, and post 
surgeon at Newbern, N. C. He was also medical director of the 
18th Army Corps, and was in charge of the United States Army 
General Hospital at Newbern, with the rank of Major and Brevet 
Lieut.-Colonel. After the war he -served as examining sargeon of 
the United States Pension Bureau of Boston for twenty-five years. 
In his residential city of Lynn, he served as a member of the school 
board and as city physician. In politics he was a staunch Repub- 
lican; in religion, a Congregationalist. He was a member of the 
Massachusetts Medical Society, Essex South District Medical 
Society, Lynn Medical Society, a Mason, a member of the Society 
of Colonial Wars, Loyal Legion, Grand Army of the Republic, Sons 
of the American Revolution, Massachusetts Association of Prison- 
ers of War, and the Lynn Historical Society. These few facts 
sum up too briefly the events and occupations of an exceedingly 
busy and useful life, — a life filled with fine achievements and noble 
sacrifices. 



80 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

On December 11, 1862 he accompanied the expedition under 
General Foster frcm Newbern to Goldsboro as Brigade Suigeon of 
the First Brigade, operating i- urge on and surgeon in charge of 
transportation of the wounded. At the battle of Kinston, on the 
14th, he estabhshed a field hospital, at which he was busily engaged 
from nine o'clock in the morning until ten at night in performing 
operations; without leaving his post for any purpose, or partaking 
of food, until the last wounded man was properly cared for. Among 
those operated on was a successful case of amputation of the 
shoulder joint and upper third of the thigh on one person. 

On the 16th of December, at the Battle of Whitehall, he es- 
tablished a field hospital m a hollow, which proved to be so near 
the firing line that pieces of shell fell among the wounded, one of 
which struck his foot, not, however, causing injury, and he was 
obliged to move the hospital further to the rear. 

On December 17, at Goldsboro, he took a farmhouse for a 
hospital, close to the battlefield, and remained there until the army 
had retired, after accompHshing its object, and the missiles of the 
enemy made it necessary for him to remove the wounded. He 
superintended the removal of these, several hundred in number, 
to Newbern, a distance of about eighty miles, through woods and 
over rough roads, a considerable part of which was corduroy. On 
the return of the expedition. Acting Brigadier General Amory, in 
his report to the Commanding General, said: "Where all did 
their duty well it seems unnecessary to mention names, but I feel 
compelled, in this place, to testify to the fidelity with which Doctor 
Galloupe, the senior surgeon of the brigade, discharged his duties. 
His efficiency at all times, and his care of the wounded, merit the 
highest praise." 

- On February 1, 1864, an attack was made on a strong outpost 
at Batchelder's Creek, twelve miles from Newbern, at one o'clock 
in the morning. The firing being heavy, and continuing for an 
unusual length of time, Doctor Galloupe repaired to the place with 
a hospital corps and several ambulances. His stretcher men began 
to pick up the wounded, the first one brought in being Lieut. 
Cheever, adjutant of the Seventeenth Regiment. While Doctor 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 81 

Galloupe was in the act of removing a musket ball from a wound in 
his chest, he was surrounded by rebel cavalry and taken prisoner. 

He soon realized that the Confederate force was a large one 
under General Pickett, and that its object was the capture of 
Newbern. The Union force, while retreating, kept up a constant 
artillery fire, and after arriving within the line of defence, opened 
with heavy guns, and mortars, and continued the firing all that 
day and the next, killing and wounding many of the Confederates. 
To all of this firing he was exposed, and although fragments of 
shell were clattering all around him, none hit him. At about 
5 p. M., February 2d, he was started with about 300 other prisoners 
towards Kinston. The road was sandy, the feet sinking three 
inches with each step. He had on heavj^ cavalry boots, and was 
compelled to walk under these circumstances to Kinston, a dis- 
tance of twenty-five miles within twenty-five hours. When he 
arrived there his strength was exhausted, and his feet and legs so 
sv/oUen and inflamed by the rough march, that it was two months 
before he recovered from the effects of the exposure. No food was 
furnished him for three days. At this extremity, his condition 
becoming known to Surgeon W. A. Holt, C. S. Army, that gentle- 
man at once came to his relief. His gratitude to Surgeon Holt 
need hardly be said was hearty and lasting. 

Doctor Galloupe was exchanged on the first of March, 1864, 
and after a month 's rest at his home in Lynn, returned to Newbern, 
N, C, where he renewed his former duties. On June 10, he was 
again appointed Post Surgeon of Newbern, and filled that office 
until the last of July, 1864, when his three years' term of service 
having expired, and his health being much impaired, he returned 
with his regiment, and was mustered out of service August 10, 1864. 



CHAPLAIN WILLIAM D'ARCY HALEY. 

Chaplain Haley was born in London, England, and came to the 
United States with his father when a mere boy. His mother, 
Harriet D'Arcy Haley, died in England. His people were of 



82 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Kent in Hampshire County, and were recognized for many genera- 
tions for their hterary attainments. His education was completed 
in the United States, having taken courses in Harvard, and at Mead- 
ville Theological Seminary. His first wife was Archidamia Maria 
Gammons of Rochester, Mass. The only child by this union was 
Grace Alton, now the accomplished and beautiful Mrs. Grace G. 
Barnum of New Haven, Conn. Chaplain Haley and his wife 
visited England, where he declined the pastorate of a London 
Church. 

Upon their return to the United States, they resided in Wash- 
ington where our chaplain became pastor of the First Unitarian 
Church, — "All Souls, — which has been since the place of worship 
of the Presidents. During their stay in Washington, Chaplain 
Haley and his wife made many dear and influential friends. 

At the breaking out of the Civil War, in the spring of 1861, 
the Reverend William Haley, believing the best place for a patri- 
otic minister was with the army, secured an appointment as 
chaplain in the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers, 
then organizing at Lynnfield, Mass. 

He served with his regiment for about ten months, when his 
failing health demanded a change. He resigned, and paid a visit 
to England. While in London, he was requested by those who 
knew his talents best, to deliver a sermon in St. Paul's. This 
sermon was a remarkable one. It was published in the leading 
papers of the United Kingdom. The commentators of that time 
said it was equal to the best the great Mr. Spurgeon ever preached. 
Shortly after this he returned to the United States, where he gave 
up the pulpit for the sword, and became a captain of cavalry in a 
New York Regiment. 

As a cavalry officer, he rendered good service to his adopted 
country. After the close of the war, he and his family went to 
California, where his wife died. Some time after he married Miss 
Elizabeth Holmes of New York. From this union there were born, 
a son, Herbert Holmes Haley, and a daughter, lone D'Arcy Haley. 
For years before his death he was editor of the "San Jose Mercury,' ' 
was connected with the G. A. R., and was a 33d degree Mason. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 83 

Upon his death, in 1890, the whole city of San Francisco paid 
tribute to his intellectual worth. He was a most brilliant and a 
kind-hearted man. During his service with the Seventeenth 
Regiment, he was noted for his generosity, his kindness to all — 
sick or well — and was ever ready to give help to the suffering, 
either spiritually or temporally. He campaigned with his regi- 
ment, and showed the true courage of the soldier, yet never for- 
getting the dignity of his high office. 



QUARTERMASTER ROBERT HARRIS. 

Quartermaster Robert Harris of the Seventeenth Massachu- 
setts Infantry Volunteers was born in Portsmouth, N. H., 1830. 
He was of a highly respectable family, members of it having held 
high positions of trust and were also of high social standing. 
Robert entered the United States Navy as captain's clerk at the 
age of fifteen, serving under Capt. Robert Wyman, commander 
of the United States Frigate "Columbus." His cruise on this 
ship was a most eventful one. The presence of the "Columbus" 
in Japanese waters was, perhaps, the first step towards an under- 
standing between the United States and the empire of Japan. 

In 1845, the captain of the "Columbus" was ordered to China 
on duty there, and also to investigate the chances of opening com- 
munication and trade with Japan. Fortunately, the " Columbus' ' 
had picked up a Japanese vessel, which had been blown off the 
coast and was in distress. The Americans cared for the vessel and 
crew and landed them safely on the Japanese coast. Acts of 
kindness from the Japanese were made in return for the gallantry 
of the Americans, who were permitted to send ashore and get 
plenty of fresh water. This incident of Americans saving the dis- 
tressed Japanese crew was without doubt the means of bringing 
about an understanding between the United States and the Japan- 
ese empire, heretofore hermetically sealed against all Occidentals. 

The facts above related happened ten years before Commo- 
dore Perry landed in Japan and secured the signing of a treaty be- 



84 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

tween the two nations. At the termination of Master Harris' 
cruise of three years, and having grown tired of Hfe on the "ocean 
wave," he entered the office of the well-known engineer, J. W. 
Brooks, afterwards for a long time president of the Michigan 
Central Railroad Company. 

While a very young man, Mr. Harris had some service as engi- 
neer on New England railroads. In 1857, he became engineer for 
the Beloit & Madison Railroad in Wisconsin, after which he rose 
to be manager, vice-president and president of some of the most 
important railroads in the country. 

In 1861, he joined the Volunteer Army, and on January 9, 
1862, became quartermaster of the Seventeenth Massachusetts 
Volunteers. In this position his worth as an army officer became 
so apparent that he was made a commissary of subsistence in the 
army, with the rank of captain. After a period of most active and 
patriotic service in the war, he resigned in 1863 to accept an im- 
portant position on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. 

His services were so valuable to the corporation that soon he 
became manager-superintendent of the vast system. After thir- 
teen years with this road, he became an important factor in other 
railroad systems, rendering such important services as to make his 
name familiar among railroad men all over the country. Quarter- 
master Harris was a man of great ability. He was successful in 
everything he undertook, was of strict integrity and was an honest 
and fearless man. Many railroad systems which had been on the 
brink of dissolution, were made safe, solvent and successful under 
the wise care or good advice of Robert Harris. 

In 1857, Mr. Harris married Mary Willis Duncan of Haverhill, 
Mass., thereby allying himself with the most prominent family 
of that town, and as prominent as any family in the state of Massa- 
chusetts, the head of which was the Hon. James H. Duncan, who 
had been a member of Congress, was an able lawyer, a brilliant 
pubhc speaker and a most patriotic gentleman. He and the 
queenly Mrs. Duncan, (nee Mary Willis), daughter of Benjamin 
Willis of Charlestown, Mass., and their children— James Henry, 
Rebecca, Mary Willis, Susan Reynolds, Samuel W^hite, Rosanna, 
Elizabeth, George Willis, Caroline and Margaret— made as many 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 85 

sacrifices for the cause of the Union in their efforts, at the cost of 
time and money, preparing volunteers for the front and looking 
after the welfare of the families of the soldiers during the war, as 
any family in the state of Massachusetts. 

Captain Harris died in the spring of 1894, at Rochester, N. Y. 
His funeral was held at his old home in Portsmouth, N. H. His 
wife survived him until 1910, when, surrounded by those she most 
loved, she quietly passed away. 

One of the Duncan boys, Samuel W., became a captain in the 
Union Army. He rendered brave and valuable service to his 
country during the Civil War. He married Sarah Margaret Fuller 
Greene, daughter of Judge Albert Gorton Greene of Providence, 
R. I. Judge Greene was the author of " Old Grimes.' ' 

Capt. Samuel Duncan died at the age of 59, leaving two sons, 
Albert Greene Duncan and Samuel W. Duncan, and one daughter, 
who is the wife of the Rev. John M. McGann of Columbus, Ohio. 
Elizabeth married the Rev. Theodore T. Munger of New Haven, 
Conn, George married Elizabeth Damon of Concord, Mass. 
He died in Rome, Italy, February, 1884, leaving two boys who are 
now living. Margaret is Mrs. Stephen H. Phillips of Salem, Mass. 
She has two sons, Stephen and James D. Phillips. 



CAPTAIN SIDNEY C. BANCROFT. 

Sidney C. Bancroft was born in Salem, Mass. (in that section 
which is now part of Peabody), April 22, 1826. He was married 
October 26, 1853, to Mary G. Goodale, by whom he had two daugh- 
ters, one of whom is now (November 30, 1909) living. He died 
July 28, 1891. 

Early in Hfe he worked as a mason with his brother Alpheus. 
Later he studied law wth Otis P. Lord, afterward Judge Lord of 
the Supreme Judicial Court, and being possessed of a comprehen- 
sive mind was an apt and successful student. 

He was admitted to the bar April 26, 1852, and took up the 
practice which Judge Lord had relinquished when promoted to 



86 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

the bench, and which was successfully maintained by Mr. Ban- 
croft for some years. It is said that his practice netted the young 
lawyer as much as $5000 a year, a very large sum for those days, 
and one which Mr. Bancroft perhaps never afterwards equalled, 
for his business capacity and habits were not equal to his other 
mental equipment. He had what is said to be one of the marks 
of genius — a disinclination to regular application and systematic 
effort, attributes fatal to business success. He seemed to prefer 
to do nothing unless in the mood for work, and then only for the 
kind suited to his taste. But these desultory exhibitions of his 
abilities were always of great excellence and often brilliant. He 
dishked forms and cared only for the substance. To illustrate 
this peculiarity, the gentleman who has furnished a sketch of 
Captain Bancroft relates that a judge of the Supreme Court once 
told a friend of his that the Court had received a brief from Mr. 
Bancroft, which by its force and perspicuity, compelled the ad- 
miration of the judges, but it was written on cheap colored paper 
with a lead pencil. 

In all other respects, however, his character, like his ability, 
was far above the average. He was a gentleman of pure and 
scholarly tastes. He was a close reasoner, an attractive speaker 
and an able parliamentarian- — a man of genius in fact, and his 
friends believe that under favorable conditions his might have been 
one of the noted names in the history of his country. 

Captain Bancroft 's ideas of war were of a nature that makes 
it a matter of surprise that he ever assumed the sword of conflict. 
He held that force had always proven an unsatisfactory means of 
settling national differences as of private ones, and that an inter- 
national tribunal would eventually take the place of the present 
costly armaments of nations. All wars of aggression or conquest, 
notwithstanding the glamor of victory thrown around them, he 
believed to be wholesale murder. 

The wonder is that a man with such sentiments — for he believed 
that war was justifiable with nations as with individuals only in 
self-defence — would become a soldier, and his resignation before 
the regiment entered into the real campaign work of the war was 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 87 

perhaps most natural. While the regiment was still in Baltimore 
he resigned his command of Company B on December 18, 1861. 



CAPTAIN NEHEMIAH PUTNAM FULLER. 

Captain Nehemiah Putnam Fuller was born in Middleton, 
Mass., May 17th, 1830. He was the son of Nehemiah P. and Mary 
A. (Perkins) Fuller. He received his early education in the public 
schools of Middleton, but had to seek employment when quite 
young, as the family needed his assistance. He worked at the shoe 
business in Danvers, Mass., some time, but being of a roving and 
romantic disposition he soon travelled abroad, making his way and 
earning his living in many strange lands. It was assumed to be 
true that he participated in the General Walker — Nicarauga — 
campaign, where he learned something of the art of war. 

After this, he returned to Danvers, Mass., where he earned 
considerable prominence as a good mechanic, a public spirited 
citizen and an active member of the Danvers Fire Department, 
at one time, being chief of that important organization. When 
the bugle-blast of war sounded, Fuller threw up the fireman's 
trumpet and drew the sword of the soldier. He was head and front 
in organizing Company "C 'of Danvers. The Company soon became 
the left flank Company of the 17th Massachusetts Volunteers then 
being organized at Lynnfield, Mass. The Company and regiment 
were mustered into the service July 22, 1861, and proceeded to the 
seat of war August 23, 1861. He was a strict disciplinarian, a persis- 
tent and never-tiring drill-master, and soon had Company ''C" the 
equal of any Company in the service. Captain Fuller served with this 
Company and regiment in their many campaigns during 1861-2 and 
3, but in July, 1863, he severed his connections with his Company and 
regiment, and became Captain of Company "B" 2d Massachusetts 
Heavy Artillery and became one of its majors on October 2d, 1864, 
He was mustered out of service after the close of the war, September 
3d, 1865. While in service he married Maria L. Fuller, daughter of 
Joseph J.andMary A.(Glass)Fuller. There were born from this union^ 



88 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Idabelle Glass, July 22, 1866, at Danvers, Mass.; Edward Putnam, 
1869, at St. Louis, Mo.; Charles Henry, 1871, at Danvers, Mass. 
and Lucy Putnam, 1875, at Jefferson City, Mo. 

Captain Fuller died at Danvers, Mass., February 3d, 1881, 
among his sorrowing family and neighbors. 



CAPTAIN GEORGE WILLIAM KENNEY. 

George William Kenney was born in Danvers, Mass., April 
12, 1830. He was the son of William J. C. Kenney and Elizabeth 
Whittier Kenney. He attended the public schools of his native 
town until he was fifteen years of age, and then went to Pembroke 
Academy. From there he went to Thetford Academy, Vt., where 
he finished his education. In 1858, he married Gertrude Stickney. 
There were born to Captain Kenney and his wife two children, 
Willis Herbert and Gertrude Stickney. The latter died in child- 
hood. 

Captain Kenney was commissioned captain of Company G, 
1861. He went to the front with his company and regiment, and 
shared in all their trials, privations and triumphs during their 
many campaigns. He was severely wounded at the Battle of 
Goldsboro, December 17, 1862, while bravely leading his com- 
pany in the fight. He was confined to the hospital for three 
months, where he suffered considerable pain, and then was sent 
North on a short leave of absence. After a brief time in the 
North, he returned to his regiment, finished out his term of three 
years, and was mustered out at Lynnfield August 3, 1864. Not 
satisfied with his three years' service, he accepted the appointment 
of captain of the 29th unattached company of Heavy Artillery, 
and was stationed at Fort Smith, Arlington Heights, Virginia. 
He was mustered out of service June 16, 1865, it being the end of 
the war. 

During Captain Kenney 's service in the Seventeenth Massa- 
chusetts, he was found to be an affable gentleman, kind hearted to 
both officers and men, and was the idol of his company. He was 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 89 

always on deck and never missed a fight or a march. He was a 
handsome man, tall, with soldierly bearing, dignified, but always 
condescending and kindly. He was well known throughout the 
department — even among officers of the highest rank — for his 
suavity and engaging manners. 

After the war, Captain Kenney became a salesman for many 
large shoe houses, but owing to advancing age, retired from this 
active life and accepted the postmastership of Danvers, under 
President McKinlej', which office he held up to the time of his 
death, which occurred March 9, 1891. His wife survived him ten 
years, dying in 1901. It is worthy of mention here that Mrs. 
Kemiey and her son, Willis H., were as near to Captain Kenney at 
times during the war as it was safe to have them. Willis, then five 
years old, was a great favorite among the soldiers, notably, at 
Fort Smith, Virginia, where the men displayed their liking for the 
boy by purchasing for him a colonel 's uniform, shoulder straps and 
sword, and they used to parade between regular drills, and be 
drilled by ''Colonel" Willis H. Kenney. He was so much a 
favorite that he spent more time at headquarters as guest of the 
regular army colonel in command of the post than he did with his 
mother. He is alive today and shows with pride his eagled shoulder- 
straps and colonel's sword that he wore when only five years old. 
The little colonel, upon reaching man's estate, married Alice E. 
Tufts and two sons came to bless their union — Herbert Tufts and 
Philip Burr. 

WilUs H. Kenney is to-day a respected and prominent citizen 
of Danvers, Mass. Well may he be proud of his brave father, and 
well may Danvers be proud of her noble son, who offered his life 
that his country might live — a Union greater and stronger than 
ever. 



CAPTAIN JOHN K. LLOYD. 

Captain John K. Lloyd was born in Manchester, England, in 
the year 1819. He was soldierly from his boyhood, and as a 
youth became attached to one of the English militia regiments. 



90 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

His progress in the art of soldiering was so rapid that he was soon 
chosen, among other picked men, to become a member of the 
"Cold Stream Guards," the crack regiment of the British Empire. 
In this command he soon proved his worth as a soldier, receiving 
frequent promotions among the non-commissioned officers. 

After long service in the famous Cold Stream Guards, Ser- 
geant Lloyd emigrated to the United States. He settled in Boston, 
Mass., where he was doing a successful business at the breaking 
out of the Civil War. The spirit of the soldier was in him and was 
bound to assert itself. Lloyd could no longer do business while 
his adopted country needed his services, and he at once set about 
organizing a company of British Volunteers, knowTi afterwards 
as Company H of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantry, 

The men of the company were a sturdy lot of Britains, and 
were a credit to their old country as well as to their new one. 
Captain Lloyd was a tall, handsome man, soldierly in appearance 
and conduct, and was a good drill-master and a strict disciplin- 
arian. He commanded the respect of the officers and men of his 
regiment. 

At the battle of Batchelder's Creek, February 1, 1864, the 
captain with other officers of the regiment, was taken prisoner 
and held by the enemy at Richmond until just before the fall of 
that city. He reached Boston about the middle of March, 1865, 
a mere shadow of his former self. Captain Lloyd suffered untold 
misery and privation during his captivity, and was so impoverished 
physically that he could not rally from his weakness; but he had 
the satisfaction of seeing his wife and son before his death. He 
died at home with them at 20 Pinckney Street, Boston, Mass., 
March 30, 1865. 

Captain Lloyd married Miss Rebecca Ellis of Shropshire, 
England. She resides at this writing (1910) at 64 Revere Street, 
Boston, Mass. Their son, born in Boston, became a practicing 
physician in New York City, where he died in 1896. 



I 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 91 

CAPTAIN THOMAS ORMSBY WEIR. 

Thomas Ormsby Weir was born at Lake View, Parish of 
Guiva, County of Sligo, Ireland in November, 1827. He was the 
son of Captain WilHam Weir and Mary W^eir, whose maiden name 
was O'Neill. Captain Weir's father was of the old Norman 
stock, while his mother was of the Irish-Celtic. Captain Weir 
married, in Haverhill, Mass., in 1848, Catherine Brown, daughter 
of John and Margaret Brown, who were emigrants from Weir's 
own parish and county in Ireland. 

Captain Weir died in Charlestown, Mass., in May, 1901. 
He was survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Mary Frances 
Swiney and Mrs. Sarah Kelly. 

At the breaking out of the Civil War, Thomas O. Weir, then a 
resident of Lawrence, Mass., animated by a spirit of patriotism, 
organized Company I, which shortly afterwards became part of 
the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry at Lynnfield, 
Mass. He was commissioned and mustered as captain of the 
company. He served with his company and regiment until July 
2, 1862, when he was discharged from the service. He was a brave 
and aggressive commander, and led his company on many ex- 
peditions and through several hot skirmishes. The incident which 
led to his discharge from the service is fully related in its place in 
this history. All the officers and men of the regiment deplored the 
loss of Captain Weir when he was discharged from the service. 



CAPTAIN JOSEPH R. SIMONDS. 

Joseph R. Simonds was born in Charlestown, Mass., in the 
year 1821. He received his early education in his native town, and 
at the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to a bookbinder, and 
learned the trade. He followed this business, and in time became 
a master in the trade. When the Civil War broke out he was in 
partnership with a brother in Spring Lane, Boston. 

When quite a young man, he joined the militia of his native 
state, and was in the militia when the war opened. On April 30, 



92 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

1861, he joined the Maiden Light Infantry Company of Maiden, 
of which he was afterwards elected captain. This company, with 
Captain Simonds in command, joined the Seventeenth Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer Infantry as Company K of that regiment, at 
Lynnfield, Mass., July 10, 1861, and was mustered into service 
with the regiment July 22, 1861. 

Company K was one of the finest companies that ever left the 
state of Massachusetts for the Civil War or any other war, and 
Captain Simonds was most fortunate in having command of such 
a company. He was an ideal captain of an ideal company. Har- 
mony, and mutual respect obtained at all times between the captain 
and his men. 

Captain Simonds was a brave, patriotic and intelligent officer, 
and deserved and received the respect of the officers and men of 
his regiment. He never failed in his duty, and his services deserve 
the gratitude of his state and the nation. 

He was mustered out of service at Lynnfield, Mass., August 
3, 1864 by reason of expiration of service. He lived in Melrose, 
where he died some years later. He had no children; his wife, 
who survived him, has since died. 



CAPTAIN ENOCH F. TOMPKINS. 

Enoch Foote Tompkins was born in Haverhill, Mass., Novem- 
ber 4, 1830. His father was Christopher Tompkins, who was a 
classmate of John G. Whittier at the Haverhill Academy, and the 
captain's grandfather was Rev. Isaac Tompkins, who held the 
degree of A. M. from Brown University, and who became pastor 
of a Congregational church in the East Side of Haverhill, Mass., 
more than one hundred years ago. This grandfather married 
Mary Alden, daughter of John Alden, of Fair Haven, Mass., who 
was a lineal descendent of John Alden, who came over in the May- 
flower — "Speak for yourself, John." 

Captain Tompkins mother was Abbie Foote, daughter of 
Enoch and Sarah (George ) Foote. The Footes were well-establish- 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 93 

ed and prominent people in Newburyport, while the Georges were 
highly respectable people and belonged in Haverhill and vicinity. 

In June, 1856, Captain Tompkins married Catherine Hayden 
Shurtleff, during whose infancy her mother died, the baby then 
becoming the protege of the Thurston family, hence she was often 
known as Catherine H. Thurston. Both the Thurston and Shurt- 
leff families were highly respectable people. From the marriage 
of Captain Tompkins and Miss Shurtleff there are two surviving 
children, Miss Abbie Hayden Tompkins and Charles Chase 
Tompkins, who now reside in Haverhill. Captain Tompkins, 
when a boy, received a part of his education in the public schools 
of Haverhill, and after finishing an academic course, settled down 
to business in that town. He had not enjoyed many years at his 
quiet and pleasant business before it became apparent that war 
between the North and the South was inevitable. The excitement 
caused by the secession from the Union of state after state in the 
South, spread to every city, town and hamlet of the country. The 
people of the North became profoundly agitated, and fully de- 
termined to meet force with force for the preservation of the Union. 
The crisis came, the people of the South appealing to arms to en- 
force their demand for separation. The cry at the North was 
"To Arms" and save the country from disintegration. 

With the blood of Revolutionary sires coursing in his veins, 
what less could young Tompkins do than rush to arms, and sus- 
tain the record of his heroic and honorable ancestors? It was in 
the blood, and he and other young men organized Company F, 
of Haverhill^ — Luther Day becoming captain, Enoch F. Tompkins, 
first lieutenant, and Wilham H. Turner," second Heutenant. 

Company F was composed of a hundred smart, intelligent 
Haverhill boys, and some of them were sons of the best families 
of the town. Drill was the order of the day. It was a splendid 
company. It was patronized by the townspeople, who suppHed 
the every want of the boys. When the company reported to 
Colonel Dike at Lynnfield, as part of the Seventeenth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, on July 10, 1861, it was given position as right 
fiank company, thereby making it and its officers the seniors of 



94 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

the regiment. This was proof of its perfect organization and 
complete readiness for active service. 

The regiment proceeded to the front on the 23d of August, 
1861, making its headquarters at Baltimore, Md., for a few months. 

Captain Tompkins was commissioned first lieutenant in the 
Seventeenth Massachusetts, May 10, 1861. His promotion to 
captain was recognized by all as a fitting reward for his faithful 
and intelligent service while first lieutenant. He served with his 
regiment during the three years ' service of the command, and was 
mustered out at Lynnfield, August 3, 1864. He remained at home 
a few months when, fearing that he had not rendered all the ser- 
vice he was capable of to his country, he was re-commissioned in 
the same regiment as captain, and served with the command until 
the final muster out at the close of the war, July 14, 1865. 

Captain Tompkins was on every march and in every fight that 
his company and regiment participated in. He was brave and 
cool under all circumstances — a strict disciplinarian, but never 
cruel; He was educated, attractive and witty. In his bouts at 
witicism he unhorsed many a friendly opponent with his laconic 
shafts of wit; but having conquered, with a peal of good-natured 
laughter, he would restore his antagonist to good-fellowship again. 
Referring to his well-known bravery, the writer of this sketch 
remembers distinctly one circumstance which showed the mettle 
of the man. On July 26, 1863, the regiment having landed near 
Winton, (otherwise Mt. Tabor), and was marching in column 
along the road, when the enemy, secreted behind breastworks, 
opened fire on the regiment. Colonel Fellows changed formation 
from column to line and advanced upon the enemy. This for- 
mation brought Captain Tompkins in command of Company B, 
on the road, facing the line of works. He led his men over the 
works as cooly and smilingly as though they were marching to a 
good dinner. 

The children of Captain Tompkins may well feel proud of the 
record of their gallant sire, and the city of Haverhill of her heroic 
son, and no disparagement to others is intended when it is said 
that the city of Haverhill would not suffer if she proclaimed 
Captain Tompkins the peer of Major Jack Howe. 

Captain Tompkins died February 6, 1901. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 95 

LIEUTENANT THOMAS W. FOSTER. 

Thomas W. Foster was born April 1, 1828, at Rowley, Mass. 
His father was Thomas Foster and his mother, Mary (Wells) 
Foster, his grandfather being Daniel Foster of Rowley. They 
were all of the old English stock. Lieutenant Foster was among 
the first to shoulder arms in Newbur>T)ort, where he resided, when 
the Civil War broke out in the spring of 186L He helped to 
organize Company A of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantry, kno^A-n at its enrollment as the "City Grays." He was 
commissioned and mustered as first lieutenant, and went to the 
front with his company and regiment. 

Failing health forced him to resign January 8, 1862. During 
his short term of service he showed high qualities as an officer, and 
it may be said with truth that in the resignation of Lieutenant 
Foster the govermnent lost a good and patriotic officer. 

The officers and men of his command were sorry to lose the 
fellowship of so estimable a gentleman. He married Lydia Mar- 
garet Perkins, and from this union were born Thomas W. Foster, 
Jr., Charles L. Foster, Mrs. Margaret Fogg, wife of Hon. Clarence 
J. Fogg, Mrs. Sarah Hidden, Mrs. Jessie Morse and Mrs. Grace 
Constantine. 



LIEUTENANT RUEL BENTON PRAY. 

Ruel Benton Pray of Danvers was the first of the volunteers 
of that patriotic towTi to enlist for the war of the Rebellion. He 
was elected second lieutenant of company C of Danvers, of the 
Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, but was after- 
wards promoted to first lieutenant and transferred to Company A 
of that regiment. He was generally known as Captain Pray, 
having attained the position of captain in the merchant service. 

Mr. Pray was born in Salem, April 18, 1836. He was the son 
of Ruel and Mehitable (Render) Pray. He received a common 
school education, and in 1850, made a voyage around the world 
with Capt. Lewis F. Miller of Salem. He followed the sea in the 



96 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

merchant service for ten years, serving as sailor, mate and captain. 
He made one whaling voyage and one cruise in the U. S. S. ''Cum- 
berland,' ' which was stationed off the west coast of Africa. Re- 
turning to his home in Danvers just before the breaking out of 
the Civil War, he attended the original war meeting there, and was 
the first man to enlist . This was on April 16, 1861. 

When the Danvers company was incorporated in the Seven- 
teenth Massachusetts Regiment as Company C, Mr. Pray was 
commissioned as second lieutenant. After serving with the regi- 
ment for one year, he resigned on account of disability, August 
9, 1862. Recovering his health after a time in the more bracing 
climate of his native state, Mr. Pray went into the United States 
navy. He was mustered into the service March 4, 1864, as acting 
master's mate. He was promoted to acting ensign April 30, 1864, 
reported at New York, and during August and September of 
that year was in the Norfolk Marine Hospital to the close of the 
war. During his enhstment he served on the U. S. S. ''Savanah," 
"Algonquin," "Young America," "Wilderness," "Chicopee," 
"Queen," and "Sassacus." 

On October 28, 1860, he married Caroline E., daughter of 
William and Sally Galloupe of Danvers, two children being born 
to them — one daughter, Mrs. James F. Eustis of Everett; and one 
son, William G., of Marblehead, both of whom, with his wife 
survive him. He died in Danvers, after a long and painful illness. 

Of him the "Townsman" has said: "He was a noble, whole- 
souled man, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. 
His social, genial manner made him many friends, not only in this 
town, but elsewhere where he was known. He was engaged in 
the cigar business in Danvers at one time, and made his home 
there, coming to this town (Topsfield) several years ago.* * * * 
He was interested in the public schools, and addressed them at 
several patriotic gatherings, representing the Grand Army in an 
official capacity at the raising of the new flag over the Centre 
school-house a j^ear ago (1895). He was a member of Topsfield 
Grange, No. 184, P. of H., and G. A. R. Post 90 of Danvers." 

Thus closed the adventurous, patriotic and useful life of Ruel 
Benton Pray, sailor, soldier and journalist. 





Major John E. Mullaly. 



Capt. Chas. O. Fellows. 





Capt. Joseph A. Moore. 



Capt. Malcolm Sillars. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 97 

LIEUTENANT JAMES MORONEY. 

James Moroney was born in Miltown-Malley, County Clare, 
Ireland, February 9, 1835. He was the son of Andrew and Bessie 
(Burns) Moroney. He came to the United States when a youth, 
and after a short residence in Massachusetts he settled in Haver- 
hill. When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Moroney, being full 
of Irish valor and American patriotism, joined Company E, of 
Haverhill, Captain McNamara, in April, 1861, and helped to 
organize the company. He drilled regularly with the command, 
and helped to make it an excellent company. 

In May, 1861, the company was ordered to Long Island, 
Boston Harbor, and was attached to what was then known as the 
14th Regiment, Colonel Rice commanding. After a month of 
active drilling, and preparation for departure for the seat of war, 
the regiment was disbanded and many of its members were drafted 
into the 13th Regiment afterwards the Irish 9th. Lieutenant 
Moroney 's company returned in a body to Haverhill and disbanded. 

About the middle of June, under orders from Governor 
Andrew, the company went into barracks in Haverhill, and resumed 
its preparations for active service. Finally, the company became 
part of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry at Lyimfield, 
July 10, 1861. 

Lieutenant Moroney was commissioned and mustered as 
second lieutenant, and went with his company and regiment to the 
seat of war. He participated in the Eastern shore of Virginia 
campaign, where he saw considerable service. He was promoted 
to first lieutenant January 31, 1862. He next served in Burnside 's 
army corps, with his regiment, in North Carolina. 

Lieutenant Moroney was attached to Company 1, Captain 
Weir, and during the spring of 1862, saw a great deal of hard work 
and plenty of actual fighting. After returning North, Lieutenant 
Moroney married Miss Kate J. Culhane, daughter of John and 
Mary (Hanrahan) Culhane. The latter were old County Limerick 
stock, whose ancestors, men and women, helped General Sarsfield 
to defend their city against the troops of King William. 



98 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

From the union of Lieutenant Moroney and his wife there was 
Ijorn one son, James Moroney, who married Miss Ida M. Kelly of 
Detroit, Michigan. 



LIEUTENANT PHILIP COOMBS MASON. 

Philip Coombs Mason was born in the old seaport town of 
Newburyport, Mass., March 5, 1834. He was the youngest son 
of William S. and Abigail (Jackman) Mason, there being two older 
sons and a daughter in the family. His father and grandfather 
(William Mason) fought in the war of 1812, and his grandfather 
was captured and confined in Dartmoor prison, in England, as a 
prisoner of war. All of his ancestry were of the typical New Eng- 
land stock. The coat-of-arms in the possession of the family bears 
the emblems of the Scottish and English. It is known that the 
Masons were among the first settlers of Newburyport. Both 
grandfathers of Philip were seafaring men, and William S. Mason, 
his father, was for many years captain of the trading ship "Nikolai' ' 
of Newburyport, and did an extensive business with Russia and 
other foreign countries. Lieutenant Mason received his education 
in the Newburyport schools. After leaving high school, he learned 
the photograph business of Mr. John McArthur. 

When the Civil War broke out he was one of the first volun- 
teers to go from Newburyport in Company A of the Seventeenth 
Regiment. By faithful and meritorious service he rose from first 
sergeant in the old company to second and first lieutenant which 
latter promotion came to him on July 8, 18G3. He participated in 
all the engagements of the old regiment and was mustered out with 
it in 1864. 

After serving his time in the war, Lieutenant Mason took up 
the photograph business in Newbern, N. C, where he remained 
until a serious illness compelled him to return North. 

In 1867, he married Sarah L., daughter of Benjamin French of 
Salisbury, Mass. She, too, came of old New England parentage, 
whose ancestors came to this country in 1640. Both paternal and 
maternal grandfathers distinguished themselves in the Revolution- 
ary War. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. 99 

During President Grant's administration, Lieutenant Mason 
was appointed United States Gauger of Internal Revenue under 
Mr. Charles C. Dame, collector of Newburyport. He remained 
in the service twelve years, when, through change of administra- 
tion, he lost his position. After a lapse of twelve years, however, 
he was reinstated in his old position, where he remained until No- 
vember, 1903, when illness compelled him to give it up in order to 
regain his health. 

Lieutenant Mason was a member of Post 49, G. A. R., of New- 
buryport, and one of its past commanders, but he has resided in 
Somerville for nearly twenty-five years. 

(A brother officer of the Seventeenth contributes the following 
more full account of Lieutenant Mason's war service.) 

"At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, Lieutenant 
Mason joined the company known as the 'City Grays,' 
and after having helped to organize and drill the company for sev- 
eral weeks, he was appointed first sergeant of it. As first sergeant 
he went to the seat of war in Company A of the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the companj'^ being commanded 
by Captain David F. Brown of Newburyport and Captain Henry 
Splaine of Haverhill. 

"He was promoted second lieutenant September 25, 1862, and 
first lieutenant July 8, 1863. At the expiration of his term of 
enlistment, he was mustered out of service August 3, 1864, at Lynn- 
field, Mass. During his three years of service he never lost a day 
on account of sickness. He was an ideal first sergeant, was an in- 
trepid and gallant lieutenant, a good drill-master, a judicious man- 
ager, and never neglected to look after the interests of Company 
A and the others with whom it was his privilege to serve. He was 
on every march, and in every fight that his regiment took part in 
during his term of service. 

"Many first sergeants, it may be said were not as fortunate as 
Mason for with him, when everything else failed, an appeal to the 
Hibernian tent was invariably successful. No matter whether 
they were tired or hungry, these men were always ready to help 
Sergeant Mason out of a difficulty. All he had to say was, ' Boys, 
I must have two men for special duty. I know it isn't your turn, 



100 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

but, then, what am I going to do?' At that announcement all 
would spring to their feet and say; 'Sure, Mr. Mason, we will do 
ami;hing in the world for you.' These conditions and doings, 
as may be judged, brought about a feeling of mutual regard and 
respect between Mason and his Hibernian friends. A treaty of 
reciprocity was established between them, and Mason kept his end 
of the treaty as sacredly as the others did theirs. He did many 
acts of kindness for them, saved some of them from getting into 
trouble, and when it did happen that one of them did get into 
trouble. Mason would be the first one at headquarters to make a 
special plea in his behalf. It often appeared to the writer that 
Mason, like the Geraldines of old, was more Irish than the Hiber- 
nians themselves, and that the Hibernians were more Yankee than 
Phil Mason himself. 

"Many of the officers and sergeants joked Mason about the 
happy and handy relations existing between him and his Irish 
friends; but at that earlj^ stage of their lives they evidently had not 
studied environment and its effect upon human conduct. 

"The friendship thus formed between Phil and his comrades, 
it may be added, was continued into the private life of both succeed- 
ing their war service, and both parties never tired of telling of in- 
stances illustrative of their mutual service and good will. So 
much did these influences attend Phil Mason for years after his 
army service that one day be became father of a beautiful boy, and, 
behold, the child was born on St. Patrick's day. Served him right. 
So much for environment association." Of Lieutenant Mason's 
three children, two of them are alive at this writing, and are most 
useful and respected members of the community: Miss Abbie 
Daniels Mason and Mr. Arthur French Mason. 



FIRST LIEUTENANT EZEKIEL F. MANN. 

First Lieutenant Ezekiel F. Mann enlisted at Boston, Mass., 
July, 1861, becoming one of the British Volunteers, afterwards 
Company H, Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers. 



MASSACHUSETTS IN THE CIVIL WAR. _ 101 

He was promoted second lieutenant, November 3, 1862, and first 
lieutenant, August 13, 1862. He was severely wounded at the 
Battle of Goldsboro, N. C, December 17, 1862. The severity 
of his wound compelled him to resign August 16, 1863. Lieutenant 
Mami was born in Boston, Mass., July 19, 1837, and at the age of 
six months was removed with his parents to their old home in 
Portsmouth, N. H. Here Master Mann went through the various 
grades in the public schools, thereby securing a good and practical 
education. 

Lieutenant Mann, at the breaking out of the Civil War, like 
other young men, stirred by the excitement of the times, and 
believing that his duty was to help preserve the integrity of his 
country, man-fashion, went to the front. 

His father was Joseph Mann of old Colonial stock, his grand- 
father and great-grandfather having fought in the Revolutionary 
War. His mother, Harriett Fitzgerald, was of the Fernalds of 
Portsmouth, N. H., whose ancestors also participated in the Revo- 
lutionary conflict. These Fernalds were the original owners, by 
grant, of the present site of the Portsmouth Navy Yard. They 
ceded it to the United States Government for a small compensation 
to accommodate the government. 

Lieutenant Mann's parents died when he was but a mere 
child, and he was brought up and educated by his grandmother 
Fitzgerald. His wife is Martha Cutter Mann, daughter of Captain 
Cutter of the war of 1812. 

Lieutenant Mann was a good officer and a brave one, and when 
he resigned because of disability brought on by his wound, the 
officers and men regretted parting with so good a man and officer. 



LIEUTENANT HENRY TAPPAN MERRILL. 

Lieutenant Merrill was born in Winthrop, Maine, April 12, 
1841. He was the son of James Hooper and Mary Bodge Merrill. 
During his childhood, the family moved to Norway, Maine. From 
Norway, at the age of seventeen, he was put to work among mer- 



102 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

chants in the city of Portland, but after a short stay in Portland, 
the young man, with his family, moved to Haverhill, Mass., where 
they resided at the breaking out of the Civil War. When the ex- 
citement attending the secession of many southern states from the 
Union, and the armed revolt of those states spread over the country 
during the spring of 1861, young Merrill was among the first to 
enroll himself as a volunteer, and joined Company F, of Haver- 
hill. Soon afterwards the company became part of the Seven- 
teenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and camped at Lynnfield, Mass. 
Before leaving for the seat of war, he was made the commissary- 
sergeant of the regiment. 

The intelligent discharge of his duties and his gentlemanly 
deportment soon brought him further promotion, for on July 3, 
1862, he was made second lieutenant in his regiment. Unfor- 
tunately, the malarial climate of North Carolina was too much for 
him. He broke down in health and found himself compelled to 
resign May 11, 1863. The army surgeons told him that he must 
resign if he wished to save his life. It pained him to leave his 
regiment, associates in the service, and particularly was he pained 
to leave the service of his country's Flag for which he was wilhng 
to die. 

In July, 1865, he married Caroline A. Evans. Three children 
came to them, Gertrude, Susan E., and Mary T., the last two 
surviving their father, who died at the home of his parents in 
Norway, Maine, March 30, 1883. He was a talented musician and 
was chorister and teacher in many churches, especially the church 
in Dover, N. H. He was a home man, a good husband, a good 
father, a respectable and gentlemanly man, and above all, he was 
a truly patriotic American citizen. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Departure for Seat of War — Arrival in Baltimore^ — Cool 
Reception — Expedition to Eastern Shore of Virginia — 
He Stole His Own Goose — Topsey — Cherystone Oys- 
ters — Return to Baltimore — "Recollections of the 
War," by Ruel B. Pray. 

The Seventeenth Regiment, under command of Lieut-Colonel 
Fellows, left Camp Schouler, Lynnfield, in the late afternoon of 
August 23, 1861, after farewells of relations and friends, and pro- 
ceeded by rail to Boston, where it marched by the flank to the State 
House, and received its stand of colors from General Bullock, who, 
owing to the lateness of the hour, was deputed by Governor Andrew 
to act in his stead. Then it took up the line of march to the Bos- 
ton & Albany Railroad Station, where the cars were again taken, 
and the journej^ to "the front" was resumed at 10 p. m., among 
encouraging cheers from the few friends assembled to see them off. 

It was slow coaching in those days, for the regiment did not 
arrive in New York City until about eight or nine o'clock the next 
morning. At New York, the men were marched to City Hall 
Park, where they were halted for a short time. Little notice was 
taken of these men in the big city — a devoted band of patriots 
going forward to peril their lives to preserve the integrity of their 
country. Indeed, in the multitudes that thronged the streets, 
as was afterwards proved in the draft riots, there were, no doubt, 
thousands opposed to the war, and even in sympathy with the re- 
bellion. 

After partaking of some refreshments, the regiment resumed 
its march, going to the landing of the ferry at Courtland Street, 
where it crossed to Jersey City, and took cars for Philadelphia 

(103) 



104 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

over the Pennsylvania Railroad. But even on this road the trans- 
portation was very sluggish, and it was not until about six o'clock 
the following morning that it arrived there. But what a contrast 
it was to the way the regiment was treated in New York, when it 
marched to the old Cooper's Shop, so-called, and were treated to a 
royal welcome and a splendid repast by the loyal people of the 
Quaker City. They were again among warm-hearted friends, and 
whatever might betide, the men of the Seventeenth will always 
retain in their hearts a grateful remembrance of Philadelphia. 

We got a little refreshment here before we again marched to 
the North River Landing to cross to Jersey City. Here we left 
the ferry boat and took the cars awaiting us for Philadelphia, over 
the Pennsylvania Railroad. We arrived in Philadelphia the next 
morning tired and dusty, for we had been in heavy marching order 
for about thirty-six hours. Here we left the cars and marched to 
the famous Cooper's Shop, where we struck it rich. 

No cheer ever awaited soldiers that was more appreciated 
than that of the noble-hearted Quakers of Philadelphia. Lava- 
tories and clean towels, hot coffee and delicious rolls, meats ~in 
fact, a magnificent breakfast was given us. Much has been 
written in glowing terms of the city of brotherly love. Those 
only who were there and partook of the great hospitality of Phil- 
adelphia during the march of the Union soldiers to the front, can 
paint the picture as it deserves. 

The ladies were more than kind as they graciously looked out 
for the comfort of every man in the Cooper's Shop, and men never 
left it more refreshed than the soldiers whose good fortune led 
them through Philadelphia on their way to the front. Night or 
day this good work never stopped. No hungry soldier ever left 
Philadelphia. Thousands upon thousands were fed and refreshed 
during the long years of the struggle. 

After a good and hearty breakfast, the regiment again took the 
cars, at 9 a. m., and at 4 p. m., arrived in Baltimore. Here the men 
of the regiment realized that they were in an unfriendly environ- 
ment, in striking contrast with the community which they had 
left five hours before. Sour and unfriendly faces were seen on 
every hand, and they realized that they were among people who had 




Lieut. Reui. B. Pray 



DEPARTURE FOR THE SEAT OF WAR. 105 

attacked and murdered their comrades some few months before. 
But this did not make them unhappy, as they felt they would soon 
be further south where the rebels were in arms in the field. 

The regiment was marched about a mile outside the city, and 
camped without tents. The following day, August 26th, when it 
was expected the regiment would take cars and proceed to Washing- 
ton, and thence to the front, it was ordered to pitch tents at Stew- 
art's Grove, where Nim's Battery was already located, the place 
being named Camp Andrew, after our Massachusetts war governor. 
Here the regiment learned that they were halted to do duty, for a 
time, at least, for no one knew when orders from the War Depart- 
ment would cause them to strike tents and start for the scene of 
hostilities. As it was they were not allowed much rest or idle 
time. Companies were dispatched on special duty to different 
points in and around Baltimore, to guard powder magazines and 
stores of war material, having to sleep on arms, to be turned out 
at all hours of the night, to be reviewed and inspected by general 
officers. 

This round of duty was varied by street drills and other de- 
monstrations calculated to impress the disloyal element of Balti- 
more that any hostile demonstration on their part would be sternly 
repressed and punished by the Lincoln soldiers from Massachu- 
setts. It was the "ounce of prevention" which had a most salu- 
tary effect. Those who had been ready to give expression to their 
feelings in words of scorn and insult (notably the women) soon 
ceased to make themselves obnoxious. The soldiers were orderly 
and well-behaved, and, according to orders, did not resent such 
abuse, but did their duty faithfully. This disarmed their enemies 
to a great extent, and made them more tolerant.' 

And yet this round of duty on the part of the men, which was 
performed with cheerfulness and urbanity, was rendered under the 
most unfavorable conditions. The men had to sleep on the ground, 
or on pieces of boards picked up anywhere, and it was not until the 
first week of October that they were furnished with straw for 
bedding. This was indeed a luxury that all appreciated. 



106 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

BALTIMORE, MD. 



Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment 

Up to October 13, Lieutenant-Colonel Fellows was in com- 
mand of the regiment, but on that clay Col. Thomas I. C. Amory 
assumed command. 

Early in November it was found that the rebels were likely to 
become aggressive in the Maryland peninsula known as the Eastern 
Shore of Virginia, and an expedition from Baltimore was planned 
to go to that place, attack the armed bands there and destroy their 
works. This expedition was composed of the following military 
organizations: Pennsylvania Cavalry, Second Massachusetts 
Light Nims' Battery, Fifth New York Zouaves, Seventeenth 
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Sixth Michigan Volunteer 
Infantry, Second Delaware Volunteer Infantry, Fourth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, Maryland Purnell Legion. 

This expedition, consisting of some several thousand men,- — 
infantry, cavalry and artillery — sailed from Baltimore on Novem- 
ber 15, 1861, under the command of Brigadier-General Lockwood, 
six companies of the Seventeenth accompanying it, who were under 
the command of Colonel Amory, These six companies were, C, 
E, F, G, H and K. The other four. A, B, D and I remained in 
Baltimore under command of Major Jones Frankle. The expedi- 
tion landed at Newtown, Md.,on the Pokomoke River, where it 
arrived about noon on the following day, and went into camp. 
All kinds of rumors in regard to the enemy were in circulation — 
that they were in force about five miles distant, etc., and expecta- 
tions of active hostilities were indulged in. But the only sanguin- 
ary occurrences for the next two or three days consisted in the cap- 
ture and slaughter of southern geese and other fowls, the members 
of the Seventeenth, of course, being more or less concerned in these 
hostilities, though they were not alone the aggressors, as others who 
came under the eye of General Lockwood were arrested and sent 
back to Baltimore, receiving severe punishment for such infringe- 
ment of the army rules. 



DEPARTURE FOR THE SEAT OF WAR. 107 

STOLE HIS OWN GOOSE. 

Army life is often rendered tolerable and even agreeable by 
the occurrence of incidents which have the flavor of humor and 
even comicality to make them memorable. The soldiers in the 
war of the Rebellion were mostly young men, and were blessed 
with an appetite which, when on the march and loaded with heavy 
equipment, the army rations of "hard tack" and indigestible 
"salt horse" did not always satisfy, and when a halt was made 
more or less "foraging' ' was indulged in, for variety of food in the 
army, as well as in civil life, was the "spice of life" and of gas- 
tronomy. What wonder, then, that the marchers with ravenous 
appetites sought gratification in the pursuit of poultry, sweet 
potatoes and other "varieties," even though foraging was for- 
bidden by the officers, to whom it was a source of constant trouble. 

The following story has some really comical features, and is 
well worth incorporating into this narrative, as it presents one 
of the humorous phases of army experience. The expedition 
under General Lockwood to the Eastern Shore of Virginia had 
landed on November 17, 1861, and had camped over night at a 
place called New Town, on the Maryland portion of the peninsula. 
Here is the story : 

"November 18, 1861. — In camp at New Town. In the 
forenoon a large part of Company "H" started out on a private 
foraging expedition, and returned later with a lot of geese. To 
reach the company quarters they were obliged to pass where they 
could be seen from regimental headquarters. As they were re- 
turning in single file, each with a white goose under his arm, and 
some with an additional one over the shoulder, Colonel Amory's 
attention was called to this breach of discipline, and he was ob- 
liged to investigate. When the men with the geese arrived at 
their tents, there was a great emptying of knapsacks, and most of 
the geese were transferred to where the clothing had been. Some 
of the birds were hidden under blankets, in knapsacks and in any 
place that offered a chance for concealment. During this opera- 
tion many of the tent doors had been tied up, and when the colonel 
arrived in the company street, it took some time before all the 



108 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

tents could be examined. The knots in some cases appeared quite 
hard to untie. In one tent, while the colonel was waiting, one of 
the men crawled out under the canvas at the back, and four geese 
were passed out to him before the colonel could enter. The re- 
sult of the search was that Colonel Amory secured eight geese out 
of about forty that were brought into the company tents. 

The men who were absent without leave were now ordered to 
do guard duty with knapsacks and in heavy marching order. At 
this time the guard duty was being done by each company in turn, 
instead of the usual custom later of detail from the several com- 
panies. This day being Company "H 's' ' turn, the duty had been 
performed by the members of the company who had remained in 
camp. The men who had each succeeded in "saving his goose" 
went on dut}^ patrolled their beats, some of them with a goose in 
his knapsack during the whole tour of duty. The man who was 
on duty at headquarters can be imagined patrolling his beat with 
the contraband article in his knapsack and fearing that at any 
moment it would be discovered. 

The captured fowls were sold by auction to the officers and the 
proceeds paid over to the owner, who afterwards appeared and 
made claim for his property. 

Captain Lloyd, being the purchaser of one of the geese — a 
fine, large bird — had it sent to his cook, with orders to have it 
prepared for use the next day. Now, George Woodcock, the cap- 
tain's cook, liked to have a quiet game of cards occasionally, and 
after dressing and putting the goose to cook in a camp kettle over 
his private fire — it being after dark by this time — thought it a 
good chance to go to one of the tents and have a game of cards 
with the boys. Captain Lloyd, being officer of the day, made a 
tour through the camp and saw the fire and the goose cooking 
in the camp kettle. Soon after he went to a tent where several 
of the officers were passing the time together, and informed them 
of his discovery, and also that the bird was nearly done. As it 
was being cooked after hours, he suggested it would be the proper 
thing to confiscate it for "the mess.' ' This proposition was unani- 
mously agreed to, and after waiting till the bird was ready (George, 



DEPARTURE FOR THE SEAT OF WAR. 109 

in the meantime, being engaged in the game of cards), it was con- 
fiscated and heartily enjoyed by "the mess." 

The next day, at noon halt, when George appeared with some 
"hard tack and salt horse,' ' the captain inquired for his goose, and 
asked why George had not brought it instead of the other "grub.' ' 
George's reply was that he had gone away from the fire for a little 
while, and that some " blankety-blank sucker" had stolen it, 
and he only wished he knew who it was. 

Those who had helped the captain eat his goose the night 
before soon heard of the loss, and it required considerable "com- 
missary' ' for the captain to set matters right with them. 

It was at this place that General Lockwood made himself 
particularly unpopular with the troops, by ordering some members 
of the brigade, who had been detected in foraging, to be sent back 
in irons to Fort McHemy. 

On November 19, the expedition started on its raid into Vir- 
ginia, crossing the State line, the companies of the Seventeenth 
being in the advance. On this march earthworks and barricades 
were encountered, and two rebel cannons were captured. The 
men marched sixteen miles on this day, and rejoined the brigade 
■ at Oak Hall, Va. On the 21st, a march of twenty-seven miles 
was made, the expedition reaching Drummondstown, Va. On 
the way a battery of sixteen guns was passed, and several prisoners 
captured, but there was no fighting. The next day two gun-car- 
riages were captured, but no guns, the rebels having either moved 
them to the main land or buried them. 

During the ten days following its departure from New Town 
the expedition marched about ninety miles without encountering 
any opposition, and arrived at Cherystone Landing cold and 
hungry, severe weather having set in. The famous Cherystone 
oysters, however, served to allay hunger to some extent, and were 
devoured in liberal quantities. The return to Baltimore was 
attended with more or less hardship to the boys of the Seventeenth . 
A steamer of 200 tons was employed to carry the six companies of 
the regiment. The vessel had gone only a few miles on her return 
trip when a storm arose, and she was forced to return. From the 
time of embarkation, on December 2, the men had to bear the 



110 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

discomforts of that steamer, including the lack of water. They 
were, however, young and optimistic, and took these experiences 
as they did other hardships of soldiering as being part of the pro- 
gram of army life, and simpl}^ joked one another about it, with 
such remarks as "Why did you go for a sojer?' ' etc. 

The result of this expedition was that whatever rebels there 
were in that section of Virginia either became peaceful citizens or 
joined their brethren across the bay in old Virginia. 

After the arrival at Baltimore, the men of the Seventeenth 
found comfort in a return to their straw beds, as well as new uni- 
forms and two months' pay. 



TOPSEY. 



Topsey was short on the names of men, as the following 
anecdote will show. During General Lockwood's campaign 
through the eastern shore of Virginia and Marjdand in November 
1861, chasing the command of the Confederate General Wise 
the 17th, Massachusetts Volunteers with other regiments of the 
Union command halted at a rich plantation for the purpose of 
resting and securing fresh water. The rest lasted half an hour or 
more. The master of the estate was not in evidence, neither were 
his two sons, the latter probably being in the Confederate Army. 

The presence of five thousand Union soldiers was a surprise 
and a source of instant attraction to the hundred or more slaves 
of the place, who poured out to look at the Yankees. The darkies, 
in order to obtain a good view of the army, clambered to the 
roofs of the sheds, the shacks, and some of them even up into the 
trees, perched on the limbs like so many crows. One Topsey took 
to the upper rail of a Virginia rail-fence, looking wonderingly at 
the army. A lieutenant of the Seventeenth Massachusetts 
was resting against the same fence, some forty feet from the girl, 
and at once became interested in her girations and spasmodic 
movement towards him. 



DEPARTURE FOR THE SEAT OF WAR. 



Ill 



She appeared to be about seventeen years old, well developed, 
bright looking, with bright snappy eyes and a mouthful of hand- 
some teeth as white as ivory. She wanted information and seemed 
determined on getting it. Seeing the lieutenant, she moved 
towards him, conforming to the zigzag shape of the fence, and 
finally reaching him, she placed her hand on his shoulder, and 
with eyes snapping and mouth open exclaimed, "Massa! Massa! 
has all you uns got naims?' ' Poor Topsey, during her seventeen 
short years of existence had probably heard such names as Tom, 
Jack, Bill, Joe, Jim, Ned, Pomp and maybe Charley. 

But she could not understand how five thousand men could 
each have a name of his own, or so named as to be readily dis- 
tinguishable from all the others. Poor Topsey, poor slaves of the 
South at that period; how innocent, how obedient, how respectful, 
and under all the circumstances how self respecting. 

The program now was to provide more comfortable quarters 
as the stay of the regiment in Baltimore for the winter seemed to 
have been decided upon by the War Department. By December 
18, lumber having arrived, work on a new barracks was begun, and 
in twelve days after the various companies of the regiment were 
more comfortably housed than they could be in shelter tents. 

During the winter months following, the Seventeenth Regi- 
ment was engaged in a variety of duties, its companies being de- 
tached for guard duty at various points in and around the city, 
always discharging such duties faithfully and to the satisfaction 
of the military authorities. Its members also grew in favor with 
the people of Baltimore— the loyal people, especially, for there 
were many of them in that city. 

The Northern people had but a faint idea of the conditions ex- 
isting in the border towns and cities of the Middle States, in regard 
to the loyalty and disloyalty of their people. The feeling was 
intense on both sides, and men were not only outspoken where they 
dared to be — especially when under protection of loyal troops — 
but were prepared to suffer the consequences of their temerity if 
the fortune of war turned the scale against them. Baltimore 



112 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

loyalists were no exception to this rule, and the loyal men there 
were free to back their convictions by acts of friendship and good- 
will towards the men in blue. 

The friendly feehng between the people of Baltimore and the 
men of the Seventeenth had grown to such an extent, that the 
officers, to mark their recognition of it, and partly to break the 
monotony of camp life in winter, gave a military ball to their 
friends of the city and comrades of other commands. It was a most 
successful affair, and was attended by many ladies of the city. 

On March 8, when news of the encounter with the rebel iron- 
clad, "Virginia," (formerly U. S. warship "Merrimac") and the 
sinking of the frigate "Congress" and "Cumberland", and two 
sloops of war was received, there was a scare in Baltimore, as it was 
feared the "Virginia' ' might sfceam up to that city and lay it under 
contribution or destroy it. Colonel Am.ory was ordered to take 
the regiment to Patterson's Park to aid in the defence of the city 
in case of emergency, but the result of the fight with the "Ericsson 
Monitor' ' a day or two later relieved the apprehension of the 
authorities in this respect. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF THE WAR. 



By Lieut. Ruel B. Pray. 

(In 1895, Lieutenant Ruel B. Pray, then a resident of Tops- 
field, Mass., but connected with newspaper publications in Essex 
County, contributed a series of "Recollections of the War" to the 
"Topsfield Townsman," which are very readable and interesting 
because they are the result of personal observation and experience 
as an officer of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. 
Lieutenant Pray had also served in the merchant marine and in the 
navy of the United States, and was as keen an observer as he was a 





f*^ «^ 



^ 



Capt. N. p. Fuller. 



Capt. Enoch F. Tompkins 





Capt. Geokge W. Kenney. 



Adjt. Henry A. C'heever. 



DEPARTURE FOR THE SEAT OF WAR. 113 

ready writer. As the war recollections can only properly be in- 
cluded in this memorial history of the regiment (he had written 
also of service in the army), extracts only can be given, owing to 
the great amount of material on hand, and much to the regret 
of the compiler) . 



"Can it be possible that time flies so swiftly, that thirty-four 
years seem but yesterday? Nevertheless, it is true. What events 
have grown j^ellow in history since those memorable days? Those 
stirring times come back to us with freshness. We can almost 
hear the familiar sound of the rattle of the trappings of war, the 
voices of our early comrades long silent in death. Those were the 
times when we were in the vigor of early manhood, before the 
frosts of winter had touched our hair. In camp at West Gloucester 
the Danvers Light Infantry saw the first experience of a soldier's 
life, roughing it. Most of the members of the company were young, 
unmarried men, with little or no care for their individual wants. 
The State and government had nothing to do with us at that time, 
it being previous to muster into service. With a strong hope Of 
early mustering, and also to keep the men together, and hold our 
organization, we had pitched our tents, borrowed ones, loaned us 
by the Methodist Society of Topsfield, on a high elevation of land 
back of the Currier farmhouse. The land was pasture land. 
Save the tent we had no shade to shelter us, for there were no shade 
trees to rest under to break the rays of the noonday sun. No regu- 
lar rations were issued to us like the late Coxey tramps. All that 
fell into our nets were our fish. 

The good people of Danvers gave large quantities of cooked 
provisions, as well as vegetables. Sergeant Inman was com- 
missioned to collect these offerings to feed the company. I have 
often thought that many of the good friends of the boys sometimes 
went short themselves to send food to this company. The prox- 
imity to the seashore was the large factor in locating this camp at 
West Gloucester , where we all could fall back upon clams and shell fish 
that were found on the coast. The clams were abundant, and good 
food to get up the grit that was to come later to the boys. Here 



114 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

we lived and drilled the men many weeks, doing the tour of guard 
and military duty as regularly and orderly as we did after our 
muster into the United States service. Often the men went 
hungry, the clam banks having heavy drafts made upon them by 
the continued digging and drainage they were subjected to. While 
this was a little troublesome at times, when pinched by the gnaw- 
ing of hunger, it was passed over without a nmrrnur of complaint. 
The boys felt that it would be but temporary, for Sergeant Inman's 
cheery face would appear again before many days with provisions 
and letters from our friends-^and when I say friends, it means 
friends in the broadest sense of the word. 

Danvers was proud of her boys, and almost every family in 
town was represented in the company by relatives and friends. 
The old town was not only doing a noble work in supplying the 
Light Infantry with food, but the men who were married and had 
left dependent ones at home were kindly considered by the good 
people and substantially cared for. Seventy or eighty men in 
camp with dependent ones at home was no small undertaking, yet 
it w^as done and well done all by contributions. It has always 
seemed to the writer that more patriotism was shown at that time 
than has ever been exhibited since the war. It was hardly dreamed 
that it would be necessary to call for a draft to fill quotas. Every- 
thing that came to us there was through a purely spontaneous 
patriotism. 

Our first death among the commissioned officers in the regi- 
ment occurred in Stewart Grove, Camp Andrew, October 27, 1861, 
when First Lieutenant George W. Tufts of Rockport, Mass., be- 
longing to Company G, died of typhoid fever. He left a widow at 
home where his body was forwarded by the colonel. He was a 
quiet, gentlemanly soldier, much respected by his brother officers 
and men of his company. Perhaps as free from sickness as it was 
possible for one thousand men to be at any place, yet we had some 
typhoid fever at this camp. James E. Lowell and William Sillars 
died of it. They were Company C men belonging to Danvers. 
Private William Sillars was but nineteen years old — a fine young 
soldier and a brother of Captain Malcolm Sillars. His body was 



DEPARTURE FOR THE SEAT OF WAR. 115 

sent to Danvers for interment, the captain accompanying the 
remains. Private Sillars died January 3, 1862. 

December 25, 1861, another Danvers man of Company C — 
Simeon Coffin, twenty-one years old died. On October 30, 1861, 
Company C lost Justin Flint, aged twenty-one. Flint was a 
Middleton man. 

On the 8th of March came an order in great haste to the 
Colonel to take eight companies of the regiment and march at once 
to Patterson's Park, on the opposite side of the city, near the water 
defence. The " Merrimac,' ' under the rebel commander Buchanan, 
an ex-officer of the United States Navy, had steamed around Sew- 
all's Point, and had attacked the fleet of war vessels in Hampton 
Roads, and had sunk the "Congress" and the "Cumberland," 
two sloops of war, formerly frigates in the old navy; and with a 
determination to destroy every seaport on the Atlantic coast, they 
would undoubtedly have accomplished it but for the presence of 
Lieut. John L. Worden, U. S. N., and the first monitor. The 
fifteen-inch gun in the turret was too much for the Monster 
"Merrimac," which was heavily armored by bending T-rails 
around her bends and sides, making her almost invulnerable to the 
ordinance then carried by the ships of our navy. The monster, 
having demolished the larger part of the fleet the day before, came 
bravely on with the assurance of easy victor}^, when suddenly out 
darted the "Monitor" from under the quarter of the "Congress," 
and steered straight for the " Merrimac' ' 

Buchanan had given the officer of the deck orders to run down 
the "Monitor" by ramming her with the iron-covered bow. This 
slipped off the "Monitor," giving the latter only a slight shock. 
Worden, as soon as he came in position, trained his turret on her, 
fired the fifteen-inch gun at the monster and backed off a few yards 
to swing his turret and deliver his broadside of one gun. The shot 
pierced the railroad armor of the "Merrimac," threw the v^^hole 
ship's company into confusion and stopped for all time the further 
career, the hope of the rebel navy. 

Now what the military authorities at Washington expected 
the old Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers to do against the 



116 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

"Merrimac," with our old kicking Belgian rifles (the arms we were 
supplied with), I never could find out. 

The question of supremacy being settled at Hampton Roads 
by the ingenuity of Ericson, and the courage of Lieut. John L. 
Worden, IJ. S. N., we again occupied our old camp at Stewart's 
Grove, where the order came for the Seventeenth to join the Burn- 
side expedition in North Carolina. 

The delay in getting transportation kept us in Baltimore 
anxiously awaiting orders. In the meantime the news of our de- 
parture was soon noised around the city, and the loyal citizens 
of Baltimore notified Colonel Amory that in token of the high es- 
teem the command was held in the monument city they had ordered 
a stand of colors made especially to present to this command, and 
prior to our departure the presentation took place, the regiment being 
mustered for that purpose. Many ladies were interested and con- 
tributed towards the colors and were present to enliven the occasion. 
Colonel Amory, a quiet, unassuming gentleman, received the colors 
and made a patriotic response to the presentation speech. The 
parting from our Baltimore friends was like severing the bonds of a 
much longer acquaintance. Many of the officers had their wives 
and children boarding with them in the city, and while the regi- 
ment was preparing to move South, their families belonging North 
were also getting ready to return to their homes. 

At last a dispatch came, announcing the arrival of the trans- 
port steamers to take us to Newbern, N. C. We broke camp at 
Stewart's Grove, where hundreds of citizens came to say good-bye, 
and with platoons in line and files dressed, field and staff in position, 
the colonel gave the order to ''Forward, march.' ' 

With three cheers for our friends, and colors dipping salute, 
the band playing "The Girl I left Behind Me," we marched down 
West Baltimore Street for the wharf to take the two steamers. It 
was a sorry parting to those whose wives and little ones had been 
with husbands and fathers while the command was stationed in 
Baltimore. 



DEPARTURE FOR THE SEAT OF WAR. 117 

The embarkation was soon effected, shore fasts were cast off, 
and heading down the bay, we were fast leaving friends and the 
beautiful city that had been our home for seven months. Our 
lines were cast in pleasant places in Baltimore. What the future 
had in store for us the good God alone knew. 



CHAPTER V. 



Baltimore to Newbern — In Burnside 's Ninth Corps — First 
Brigade of Foster's Division — Colonel Amory Com- 
manding THE Brigade — At the Front — Picket, Scouting 
AND Fighting — Jackson Place, Red House and Deep 
Gully — Neutral Zone — Malaria — Conversion of 
Mrs. Cleave — Trenton — Turkey Fallon — Laughable 
Matter — Plymouth and Tarboro^ — Short of Rations — 
Battles of Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro. 

On March 27, the regiment left Camp Andrew, Baltimore, for 
North Carolina, and embarked on two steamers, "The Star of the 
South" and the ''Marion," and was escorted to the wharf by- 
Reynold's Battery, who fired a parting salute in its honor. 

The voyage at first was not unpleasant as far as the weather 
was concerned, but the accommodations on the boats were so bad 
that the men were uncomfortable, being crowxled, and those who 
were quartered below were in a miserable condition, which was great- 
ly aggravated after it began to blow hard (as it nearly always does at 
Cape Hatteras) ; and the men, most of whom were new to sea life, 
became seasick. 

The entrance to PamUco Sound was through Hatteras Inlet, 
which had been defended by an earthwork fort that had been taken 
by the first coast expedition, under General Butler, to enable 
General Burnside to enter the Sound and effect the capture of 
Roanoke Island and Newbern. Ilie entrance through this inlet 
was known as the " Swash,' ' and after what seemed an interminable 
delay, the steamers bearing the officers and men of the Seventeenth 
got inside and awaited pilots. 
[118] 



AT THE FRONT. 119 

While awaiting these people, who soon appeared in the sound 
hke a flock of gulls swooping' along for finny prey, the men had an 
opportunity of looking with wonderment at their new environment. 
The extreme eastern section of North Carolina consists of a 
narrow strip of land extending along the coast, and separating the 
ocean from the interior or sound waters. The strip is sandy, 
varying in width from one-fourth of a mile to five miles. In 
places it is entirely bare of vegetation, being merely an ocean sand 
beach. In other places, especially near Hatteras — where it is 
widest— it is covered by a growth of live oaks, red cedars (which 
latter, even in calm weather, look as if a hurricane were blowing 
them into fugitive resistance), and some mainland trees, and a shrub 
called yeopon, from which a tea is made by the natives. This 
strip of land is called "The Bank" (sand bank would be more 
appropriate). It is broken by four considerable inlets, namely, 
Hatteras, Ocracoke, Beaufort, — and at the mouth of the Cape 
Fear River. Through these inlets, vessels from the sea enter the 
interior waters. Root crops, sweet potatoes and ground nuts are 
the principal products, as the high winds are hostile to the culti- 
vation of corn and other grains. 

The inhabitants of this strip of land live mainly by fishing and 
pilotage, a number of these gentry soon putting in an appearance 
and taking charge of the transports, and on the first of April, 1862, 
the transports headed southwest towards the entrance of the Neuse 
River, a large stream which drained a large area of swampy land, 
for the mainland part, immediately bordering on the sounds to the 
east, is but slightly elevated, and abounds in large swampy areas. 
The city of Newbern was reached about noon, though the 
regiment did not land till about 4 :30 in the afternoon, when it was 
escorted by the 24th Massachusetts Regiment to the place selected 
for its camp outside the city, and near where Fort Totten was 
located. 

The city of Newbern is located at the point of the junction of 
the Trent River with the Neuse River. It is an old city, having 
been founded by a Swiss nobleman. Baron de Graffenreidt, who 
emigrated from Berne, Switzerland, in 1709, being followed the 
second year, by 1500 people of his native place. He called the 



120 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

city New Berne in honor of the city of his birth, though it must 
have been a "come down' ' for those mountaineers to settle in such 
a level, swampy region. 

Before the war, Newbern was a port of entry and enjoyed a 
considerable trade in naval stores and cotton. Now, however, 
on the arrival of the Seventeenth, it presented a somewhat war- 
battered appearance, with vacant spaces on some of its streets 
covered with ruins of burned buildings. 

The regiment was not permitted to take a long rest before 
assimilation into the army corps already in possession of the de- 
partment, for on the day following its arrival in Newbern it was 
brigaded as the First Regiment of the First Brigade of the First 
(General Foster's ) Division of the Ninth (Burnside's ) Army 
Corps. Colonel Amory was given command of the brigade. 

The different companies were now assigned to duty, princi- 
pally on picket, at different points outside Newbern, from eight 
to ten miles distant. 

The general policy of the officers in command of the depart- 
ment was a defensive one, and therefore invited attack or harassing 
demonstrations on the part of the enemy, which made outpost 
duty somewhat lively and often interesting. This was a novel 
experience for the men of the Seventeenth, who at first enjoyed it 
keenly, especially as the weather was mild and vegetation made the 
surroundings attractive, the deciduous trees coming into leafy and 
flowery luxuriance. 

One thing, however, was soon realized, and that was that 
marching over the roads, with mud ankle-deep and water knee- 
deep, and skirmishing in swampy woods, was no fun for the boys, 
though they usually made light of such hardships, and tried to 
look on it as excitement and adventure. 

Our regiment was not allowed to rest long in the city of 
Newbern, one wing, under Colonel Fellows, going to Batchelder 's 
Creek, April 11, 1862, and the Red House, April 16, 1862; and the 
other wing, under Major Frankle, going to the Jackson Place 
April 11, 1862. Their movements were all conducted from these 
points until April 29, 1862, when the right wing joined the left 



AT THE FRONT. 121 

wing at Jackson Place. On the 29th of May, the whole reghiient 
was recalled to Newbern. 

One of the first expeditions in which the regiment engaged 
was with the 23d and 27th Massachusetts Regiments, about eight 
miles from the Jackson Place, towards Trenton, on the Trent Road, 
to break up a rebel camp at the Merritt House. The rebels 
apparently were aware of their coming and had "skedadled," 
leaving a noonday meal of meat and sweet potatoes cooking, which 
was enjoyed by our men as far as it went. 

On this raid the regiment came near losing some of its members, 
Companies C and F were deployed as skirmishers, and some of the 
men, seeing others in the woods, and thinking they were some of 
the enemy. Company C fired on Company F, and F returned the 
fire, but the mistake was quickly discovered, and fortunately no 
one was hurt. 

Throughout April, and up to the middle of May, the various 
companies of the regiment were kept busy on outpost duty, making 
small raids in different directions outside of Newbern; engaging in 
skirmishes, capturing a few prisoners; killing some of the Con- 
federates (mostly North Carolina Troops), and confiscating con- 
siderable live-stock, provisions, etc. 

The first disaster marking loss of life was on April 10, 1862, 
when a party composed of men of Company H started out on a 
scout. In crossing the Trent River, the boat being overloaded, 
it upset, and three of the men of Company H were drowned. This 
scouting party went to PoUocksville and captured a cavalry picket 
outpost. 

The necessity of maintaining a strong picket force around 
Newbern to prevent raids and surprises by the enemy, kept the 
various companies on picket duty most of the time, so the old 
battalion drill was becoming a thing of the past. Daily and nightly 
attacks by small parties of rebel cavalry and infantry, and bush- 
whackers kept the men on picket on the alert almost constantly, 
while false alarms often disturbed many a comfortable siesta. 
The turpentine woods also were frequently set on fire, making 
night more or less luminous, and keeping our men on the qvi vive. 



122 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

So frequent were the attacks on picket guards that fires were 
rarely allowed on outposts at night, though the monotony of 
keeping watch in the dark hours of the night was something trying, 
for the least noise, the cracking of dry branches, the baying of dogs 
in chase of game, or the footfalls of a deer or other wild animal 
would cause apprehension that the enemy was closing in, and 
frequently the picket post Avould be aroused by such trivial causes. 
From time to time, where a fire was lighted on an outpost a 
shot from some concealed bushwhacker would ring out, and it 
would sometimes be a fatal one, for those fellows were usually good 
marksmen. The consequence was that from time to time the news 
would come that a sentry on such a picket line had been shot the 
night before. Poor fellow ! 

It was a lesson which the officers would use to impress their 
men as to the necessity of caution and watchfulness while on 
picket. Did the men heed it? Not always; and hence the lesson 
was repeated from time to time. 

But the guerillas were not the only trouble to the boys in blue 
in North Carolina. In that swampy country malaria was more 
dangerous, if not more fatal than the bushwhackers' leaden bullets. 
The warm season in that country sets in early, and the mercury in 
the thermometer climbs up into the nineties in April and May, 
when Massachusetts is chilled and shivering in the northeast 
winds. 

Our soldiers, being unacclimated, rapidly succumbed to "the 
shakes,' ' and the mornings surgeon's call showed a rapid increase. 
Men were taken down sick, unfit for duty, who a few hours before 
felt all right; but with the shivers running down the spine, which a 
little later would turn to fever, they would throng to the doctor's 
tent, and get the bitter draught as remedy — whiskey and quinine. 
The next day the victim (in his first experience) would feel so 
well that he would marvel at the skill of the surgeon the medi- 
cinal value of whiskey and quinine, and feel fully competent to go 
on duty. But the surgeon, wiser by experience, would not permit 
him to do so. The day following he w'ould know why. And thus 
he might go on, with occasional spells of freedom from the inter- 
mittent fever, until he had taken so much quinine that he was no 



AT THE FRONT. 123 

longer able to master the "hard tack' ' with his loosened teeth. It 
was a serious situation indeed, but no better remedy being avail- 
able, whiskey and quinine became a regular morning ration in the 
North Carolina district. 

The contests at the outposts, though on a small scale, were 
lively and continuous. One day it would be the capture of one of 
our cavalry videttes and perhaps one of our infantry pickets, and 
on the next day, three or four of the rebel cavalry unsaddled — 
killed or wounded. The day following perhaps four or more rebels 
would be captured. Then scouting parties would penetrate the 
enemy's territory, and return with an assortment of mules, vehicles, 
hams, bacon, corn and fowls — "confiscated,' ' of course. 

Added to this service and other discomforts, the season was a 
rainy one. Indeed, it w^as remarked that during the war, the 
wind-storms and rains were unusually heavy. To the men of the 
Eighteenth Army Corps in North Carolina, the early spring was 
not only a hot one, but a rainy and windy one. The wind and 
rain would come together. The wind would blow down the tents, 
and the rain would soak their exposed occupants. 

Another discomfort were the insect pests — hungry fleas, 
w^ood ticks, ravenous mosquitos, biting flies and an army of gray- 
backs that never "ceased from troubling," and it can be judged 
what an amount of patient suffering was required of the men who 
endured and tried to enjoy life in spite of them. 

The first expedition in which the Seventeenth Regiment parti- 
cipated, with other organizations, w^as on May 15, 1862, after being 
underarms most of the night. In company mth the Twenty-fifth 
Massachusetts, a squadron of the Third New York Cavalry, and 
two guns of the Fourth Rhode Island Battery, the expedition started 
at 2 :30 a. m., taking the Trent Road. The road was ankle-deep in 
mud, and the small streams or branches were more than knee-deep. 
The expedition, when within two miles of Trenton, encountered 
a force of the enemy about 100 strong. These, the cavalry, after 
a short engagement, routed. A house where the headquarters of 
the rebels had been located was burned, and the expedition returned 
to Newbern by 1:30 o'clock p. m., having marched twenty-six 
miles and cleaned out a nest of rebels — a small force, it is true, but 



124 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

a much larger one was looked for. The casualties in this expedi- 
tion were, two men of the Third New York Cavalry wounded; 
while the enemy had nine killed and wounded, who fell into our 
hands, besides several others that they carried off in their retreat. 



DISASTER TO COMPANY I. 

On the 22d of May occurred the most serious disaster that had 
as yet befallen the regiment. Company I, under command of 
Captain Thomas Weir, went out on a scout toward Pollocksville. 
When near that place, after securing considerable plunder, and 
meeting with little or no resistance. Captain Weir and his company 
started on their return to camp, when they were attacked by Con- 
federates in ambush, and Company I lost one man killed, three 
mortally wounded and six badly wounded. 

Of this unfortunate episode, Lieut. James Moroney, who had 
been promoted from second-lieutenant in Company E to first- 
lieutenant in Company I, and who was present at the catastrophe, 
writes : 

"There was a widow woman by the name of Fosque, who lived 
outside our lines on the Pollocksville road. She held a protection 
from us. She came to camp one day and said the rebels were com- 
ing to take her property away from her. The colonel gave Captain 
Weir an order to take the company out there. So we started out 
in the morning. I think it was about the 22d of May, 1862. We 
had about thirty-five men. We threw out skirmishes as we went 
along to guard against surprise. We had been there once before. 
We started to return to camp about two o'clock in the afternoon. 
We had with us two little mule teams, and had not marched far 
when John O'Leary came back to the left of the company, where 
my position of first-lieutenant was, and said he was sick, and wanted 
to ride back to camp. I told him I did not have charge of the com- 
pany, and directed him to go and see the captain. He did so, and 
the captain gave him permission, saying he could ride after we got 
on the hill which we were then ascending. O'Leary then put his 



AT THE FRONT. 125 

rifle and shoes into the wagon; but the poor fellow never got over 
the hill alive. He was the first man shot, and the shot that killed 
him seemed to be the signal for the rest of them to fire. There was 
not a man in our company that ever saw one of them. 

"The Confederates lay there in the thick brush on the top of 
the hill, and fired down on us as we were marching by. The bluff 
was about twenty-five or thirty feet above the road— a better spot 
could not have been selected for an ambuscade. About twelve 
of our men were hit, the head of the company suffering most, as 
they did not allow us to get far before they fired. John O'Leary 
of Lawrence was killed outright. The orderly sergeant, Charles 
AV. Judge of Haverhiir was badly wounded, and carried a ball 
in his body until he died. James W. Brown of Boston received 
wounds of which he died a few days later. Daniel Farrington of 
West Newbury was badly wounded and lived only a few weeks. 
The others were not so dangerously wounded. 

"This accident, which could not have been avoided, was never 
reported to General Foster, who was in command, and when he 
heard of it, he demanded an investigation from headquarters and 
Captain Weir had to be courtmartialed. The court found him 
guilty of neglect of duty for not throwing out skirmishers to guard 
against surprise on his return to camp. 

"I sincerely think that there was not a braver or more compe- 
tent officer in the regiment than Captain Thomas Weir.' ' 

Of this incident, the editor has recently received the following 
account which is circumstantial and accurate, being the relation of 
an officer who commanded the. expedition sent to the rescue of 
Company I : 

"When the regiment was at the Jackson Place, about six miles 
outside Newbern," he writes, "Colonel Fellows received informa- 
tion from outside the Union lines that the Confederates had been 
ordered to gather in all the cattle, horses and such supplies as they 
could find in the neutral zone lying between the opposing forces, 
so as to prevent the Union troops from taking possession of them; 

"In order to defeat this scheme, Colonel Fellows, on May 
22, 1862, ordered Captain Thomas Weir to march his company 
out on a foraging expedition to the estate of the widow Fosque, 



126 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

on the Pollocksville road, where, as it was well-known there were 
some good cows, horses and other property, which could be used by 
the Union forces to advantage, and thus defeat the designs of the 
Confederates on the much-coveted property. 

"Captain Weir obeyed the order promptly, and succeeded in 
getting in the property referred to, and started to return to camp, 
when he was ambushed by a greatly superior force of the enemy. 
Captain Weir had only thirty-five men and officers in his command 
that day, and when he had placed some of them in charge of the 
horses, some in charge of the coavs, and others in charge of the team 
hauling several bales of cotton, there were but few fighting men left 
to the captain to act as skirmishers and guard his flanks, so that, as 
a matter of fact, there Avere no skirmishers thrown out, because 
■ there were not enough men to do much with. Thus it was with Cap- 
tain Weir as he marched away from Mrs. Fosque's house that day. 

"He had not proceeded far, however, when a volley from 
ambush killed one of his men, wounded orderly Sergeant Charles 
W. Judge and others, and stampeded the horses and cattle that were 
not in harness. The enemy had chosen an elevation in a thickly 
wooded spot on the side of the road, from which they delivered a 
well-directed fire from Harper's Ferry breach-loading rifles (as 
was afterwards proved) Avithout fear of the fire being returned from 
the surprised and disorganized men of Company I. 

"Captain Weir and Lieutenant Moroney tried their best to 
rally the men, but in the confusion, finding it uuAvise to make a 
stand against a concealed enemy on the open road, ordered their 
men over the fence on the opposite side of the road, where partially 
protected by fence and trees, the men maintained a fight which 
could not last long against such odds in number and in position, 
for it afterAvards developed that a full company, Avith breech- 
loaders, were opposing them; but finding it Avould be useless to 
prolong such a contest. Captain Weir marched his men away 
through the woods from the scene of disaster and reached the 
regimental camp about an hour later. 

"When Captain Weir made his report of the experiences of 
the morning. Colonel Fellows, then commanding the regiment, de- 
termined to punish the Confederates if possible, and regain the lost 



AT THE FRONT. 127 

property. He ordered Captain Splaine, with Company A, and 
Captain McNamara, with Company E, to proceed to the scene 
of the trouble as soon as they could get there. 

"It is but justice to say here that Captain Weir tried to make 
a stand upon the open road, and to rally his men, then somewhat 
scattered and confused. Sergeant Killoran suggested, and even 
shouted at the top of his voice : 'Let us charge them.' But how 
many were there to charge with? There were only about a dozen 
men near enough to help Captain Weir to make any sort of a fight. 

''A battalion of two companies (A and E), under Captain 
NcNamara, marched in quick time to Deep Gully, when a halt 
Avas made, and then skirmishers were thrown out, and the com- 
mand moved up to near the ''forks of the road," where another 
halt was made for consultation. At this juncture Captain Mc- 
Namara relinquished the command of the two companies to Cap- 
tain Splaine, who at once made proper disposition of the men, and 
moved promptly towards the enemy, taking the middle of the 
PoUocksville Road himself, with his skirmishers on either side, 
kept dressed on him by the edges of the road. 

"Upon swinging from the Trent Road, into the PoUocksville 
Road, the captain placed Lieutenant James Splaine in command of 
a platoon some distance in advance of the forks, with instructions 
to guard the approaches by the Trent Road and to guard and pro- 
tect the rear of the companies then advancing toward the enemy. 

"As Captain Splaine and his skirmishers swept on toward the 
scene of the ambuscade, he saw some Confederates talking with 
the wounded men of Company I, who, when they saw the rescue 
party coming, hastily rejoined their own command, and soon after- 
ward Captain Splaine's skirmishers and the rebels became actively 
engaged. 

"Some lively firing was indulged in; Captain Splaine ordered 
his men to move double-quick, and they drove the enemy before 
them in short order, recovering the dead and wounded and part of 
the property abandoned by Company I. 

"In the light and quickly-ended skirmish, one of the enemy 
was evidently wounded, for he was compelled to abandon his 



128 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Harper's Ferry breech-loading rifle, which proved how the enemy- 
was armed. 

"The march back to camp, with dead, wounded, some horses, 
cows and considerable cotton was made through a thunder and rain 
storm unparalleled in the memory of the writer of this narrative. 
There was no sleep that night, for the camp was literally afloat. 

" Captain Splaine was thanked most warmly by Colonel Fellows 
for the prompt and successful manner in which he accomplished the 
object of the movement, and was at once rewarded by being invited 
to remain at headquarters that awfully stormy night, a courtesy 
rarely extended to the officers of the line. It is needless to say that 
the invitation was accepted by the captain. 

"Captain Weir was suspended from duty, and sent before a 
courtmartial, charged with neglect of duty for not having thrown 
out skirmishers when he had taken up his line of march after leav- 
ing the plantation of Mrs. Fosque. No witnesses were heard on 
behalf of Captain Weir, not even the captured rifle. 

"Captain Splaine, the first Union soldier on the scene after 
the disaster, and commanding the Union forces, was not sum- 
moned. The court found Captain Weir guilty and sentenced him 
to be dismissed from the service. 

"Almost without exception, the officers and men of the regi- 
ment sympathized with Captain Weir, and they also believed, as 
the surviving members of the command believe today, that Cap- 
tain Weir had not been justly dealt with, and all then believed, as 
all the survivors believe, that the regiment lost a good and a brave 
officer when Captain Weir was sent home to private life. 

"The full truth of the attack on Company I came to light on 
the evening of the day when the battle of Kinston was fought, 
December 14, 1862, Captain Splaine being acting provost-marshal, 
that evening, while Major Frankle the Provost marshall was ab- 
sent, trying to save some cotton which the retreating Confederates 
had set on fire, — was accosted by a rebel prisoner, who inquired 
about Captain Weir. He stated that he was the captain in com- 
mand of the rebel company that had ambushed Company I. He 
said that Captain Weir had made so many successful raids into 
rebeldom, and had captured so much property, that the command- 



AT THE FRONT. 129 

ing officer at Kinston had made up his mind that it was about time 
to wipe him and his company out. This rebel captain was placed 
in command of fifty picked men (the majority of them armed with 
Harper's Ferry breach-loading rifles, and a few armed with smooth 
bores, from which they fired ''buck and ball") to carry out his 
wishes! This force was ordered to go and not return until they had 
finished up Weir's marauding company. They succeeded pretty 
well, as the facts related show. 

"Is it any wonder, then, that fifty well-armed men from am- 
bush routed twelve or fifteen who were marching in an open road 
unaware of any such danger as that which came suddenly upon 
them?' ' 

While the Seventeenth Regiment was stationed at the Jackson 
Place, some miles out of Newbern, during the spring and early 
summer of 1862, several expeditions were organized and went forth 
to interrupt the communications and seize upon the supplies of 
the Confederates stationed and operating in that section of North 
Carolina, resulting in hard marches, some fighting, the destruction 
of bridges and other public property, the gathering in of supplies, 
and occasionally a few rebel prisoners. On these raids there was, 
as a matter of fact, more or less of individual foraging, notwith- 
standing the well-known prohibition of the officers of such work. 
There were few exceptions to this rule, however, but one of these 
was notable enough to furnish material for a story and a sobriquet 
for one of the actors in the little drama. 



Turkey Fallon. 



It appears that Sam Reed of Company A, on one occasion, 
because the captain would not allow him to "hook" one, actually 
bought a turkey at a farmhouse, near the Merritt House on the 
Trent Road, the latter place being well-known to members of the 
Seventeenth. Sam wrung the neck of the bird and carried it to 
the quarters of his company at the Mangan Place (the inner picket 
guard). He then hired a colored "mammy" to cook the turkey. 



130 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

she agreeing to have it cooked and ready for him at an hour speci- 
fied, for which service she was to receive a quarter. 

When Sam was making his bargain with the colored woman, 
he was not aware of the fact that another party was an attentive 
listener to it. This was a comrade concealed in the bushes near- 
by. This fellow, taking advantage of the knowledge thus gained, 
presented himself about fifteen minutes before the specified time, 
and asked "Is me turkey cooked?" The mammy replied, " Yes, 
Massa; all ready, Massa." The man said, "Well, here's the 
quarter and give me me turkey.' ' And she gave the bird to him. 

A few minutes after the man left with the turkey, Sam Reed 
put in an appearance and asked for his turkey, but to his surprise 
and the indignation attendant upon a disappointed appetite, he 
learned that some one had got ahead of him and secured the bird. 
Sam asked the mammy who the fellow was, but all the information 
he could get from her was "Dat de gemman had come, paid de 
quarter and took dat turkey away wif him.' ' Sam asked the woman 
to describe the man, and what he said when he called for the 
turkey. To all his inquiries she said, "All 1 know. Mars, he was 
a Yankee man, a sojer, an' I thought he wus de same gemman dat 
had guv me de turkey to cook.' ' 

Of course, Sam was wild over the loss of his turkey, which he 
had paid a dollar and a half for. He rushed to Captain Splaine 
and told him the story of his loss, and said the captain was to blame 
for the whole thing, for if he had not been so strict with his men the 
bird would not have cost him (Sam) anything. 

The captain pacified Sam, and told him that if he would keep 
his mouth shut about the matter, they would soon find out who 
the thief was. Sam agreed to keep silent about it, and had not to 
wait many hours before the culprit was fully known, much to his 
satisfaction. It came about in this way : At roll call that evening, 
all the men not on guard were paraded. The orderly sergeant 
called the roll from memory, and the captain noticed that the name 
of Martin Fallon had not been called. He said, "Sergeant Mason, 
I did not hear you call Fallon's name. Why is it?" The orderly 
replied that Fallon was a very sick man. "Trot him out," said 
the captain. And sure enough, when Fallon was trotted out he 



AT THE FRONT. 131 

presented a woe-begone appearance — face flushed, showing that he 
was feverish. Martin was evidently a very sick man. 

The captain looking at him a moment, asked: "What is the 
matter with you, Fallon?" — "Oh, then, captain," he replied, 
"but I'm awful sick!' ' 

The captain approached Fallon, and with a show of knowing 
something of medical practice, felt his pulse, looked at his tongue, 
raised the lid of one eye and looked in. Then, speaking so loud 
that every man in the company could hear him, said: ''Martin 
Fallon, turkey does not agree with you, does it?' ' 

Martin looked guilty and hung his head, but made no ans wer. 
Then the captain said: "Martin, you stole Sam Reed's turkey, 
and I'll give you until twelve o'clock tomorrow to pay him one 
dollar and fifty cents. If you don't pay him, I'll courtmartial you. 
"Will you do it?' ' — " I will, sir,' ' was Martin's answer. 

It appears that when he obtained possession of Sam's turkey, 
Martin went into the bush and ate everything of it but the bones. 
He must have eaten three pounds of turkey meat, and it was no 
wonder he was sick. When Martin recovered from his surfeit of 
turkey, he took some of the boys to the place where he had devoured 
it. 

The men of Company A, and some of those of the other com- 
panies who knew of the affair, called him "Turkey Fallon,' ' and to 
this day he is known by that name. When any of the boys attempt 
to joke Colonel Splaine about his countryman, Martin Fallon, the 
colonel wittily replies: "No, no, sir; that is a mistake," and 
adds, "Can't you tell by the man's appearance, his name, his 
accent, where he came from;" and adds that he knows by all the 
peculiarities referred to, as well as his weakness for poultry, that 
Turkey Fallon must have been born in the neighborhood of Con- 
stantinople; and that he has the name, the accent, the appearance 
and some of the habits of the people of that region. 

"From what has already been told of the duties of our troops 
in the district in and about Newbern; the designs of the Confeder- 
ates to gather in live-stock, provisions and other property in the 
neutral zone surrounding that city, and the efforts of the Union 
forces to prevent such a seizure, it can be judged what a hardship 



132 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

it was to planters and dwellers in that section. They naturally 
sympathized with their own people, but if they held intercourse 
with the Union forces, they were suspected by the Confederates of 
giving information as to their movements, while the Union troops 
not only suspected that they gave information of army movements, 
but when picketing or bushwhacking was indulged in, at night, 
it was beheved that it was these professed non-combatants who did 
the shooting. They were thus between the upper and nether 
millstones, and suffered accordingly. 

Some harrowing tales might be told to illustrate this, but the 
writer can say from personal experience (and he slipped out beyond 
the outposts on more than one occasion while on picket) that the 
men he met were friendly and never attempted to take advantage 
of his or their (for he was usuall}^ accompanied by a comrade) 
isolated position, which might invite treachery under existing con- 
ditions. 

The attack on Company I was at first thought to be the work 
of men not in the Confederate service — guerrillas, in fact; but it was 
soon proven that it was the work of Confederate soldiers, who were 
simply carrying out the orders of their superior officers. 

That the people of North Carolina were not all hostile to the 
Union was evidenced by the fact that several regiments were re- 
cruited from these people and officered by commissioned and non- 
commissioned officers from the Seventeenth and other Northern 
regiments. The rank and file of these regiments, that is, the 
natives of North Carolina, — literally took their lives in their hands, 
for if not killed in action, they knew that if taken in battle, sure 
death awaited them. 

Dr. Galloupe, while a prisoner at Kinston, N. C, on his way 
to Libby prison, in Richmond, tells of the execution in that city 
of twenty-five North Carolinans captured while in the Union ser- 
vice. They were hanged like common malefactors, and the doctor 
was invited by his captors to witness the execution, which, how- 
ever, he very properly declined to accept. 

One of the early expeditions (June 27) in which the Seven- 
teenth Regiment participated was that to Swift Creek, some twenty 
miles from Newbern, on the north side of the Neuse River. To 



AT THE FRONT. 133 

get there the troops were carried in transports about half the dis- 
tance up the river, and had to march over land from the landing- 
place. 

The village of Swift Creek was located on the other side of the 
creek that gave it its name. This creek was crossed by a bridge, 
on the approach to which the enemy was sighted and shelled, upon 
which they retired in haste. In "Soldiering in North Carolina," 
an account of this affair runs as follows : 

"Upon approaching the bridge leading across (the creek) they 
(our men) were fired upon by the rebels (without sustaining any 
damage) who had a battery masked by a breastwork or fort of 
shingles. The Seventeenth charged across the bridge in fine style 
(the bridge was a lightly built one) and swayed and shook under the 
combined weight of sixty men in such a manner as to lead to the 
belief that it would break down — but it didn't, but upon crossing 
they found the enemy had flown. 

"Three companies went up the road in pursuit some distance, 
but the rebels were nowhere to be found. The regiment halted 
near a dwelling-house when some of the men went into an adjoining 
negro hut, where a pot of meat and cabbage was in process of 
being cooked, which they proceeded to confiscate; but just as they 
had commenced their feast, an officer came and drove them off, 
saying: 'Dom thee, did thee coom here to ploonder?' At the 
same time, it was asserted, though I don't believe it, that the officer 
who thus drove them from the feast had his pockets filled with 
'ploonder.' 

"Three prisoners were taken; one of them a lad about sixteen 
years old was thus interrogated by the Major (Frankle) : 

" 'What for you be guerrilla?' 

" 'I'm not a guerrilla, sir; I'm in the regular Confederate ser- 
vice?' 

" 'What for you lay in ambush, then?' 

" 'I didn't lay in ambush, sir; I was standing behind a tree.' 

" 'Ha, you be one rascally guerrilla, and we will string you up 
to a tree when we arrive in Newbern.' 

"But it is needless to say this threat was not carried out.' ' 



134 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

STORY OF MRS. CLEAVE. 

Mrs. Cleave's conversion, which had its inception later in 
the season of that year (1862), is related by Colonel (then captain) 
Splaine, who commanded Company A of the Seventeenth at the 
time, and is as follows : 

During the second expedition of the Seventeenth Regiment to 
Swift Creek (in August, 1862), Captain Splaine found that his 
company was entirely out of rations, and, as he was opposed to 
pilfering or borrowing from the natives, he decided to report the 
matter to Colonel Fellows, then in command of that regiment. 
The colonel instructed the captain to take a few men with him and 
seize supplies for his company, but only to take from people who 
apparently had some to spare. The captain learned from some intel- 
ligent colored people that a Mrs. Cleave had enough and to spare. 

Acting upon this information, the captain, with a few men, 
visited the home of the good lady, and made known his wants. 
He told her he would give her a receipt for the goods, and would 
make the price so liberal that she could well afford to go to New- 
bern and draw the money from the chief quarter-master. 

Mrs. Cleave was not pleased at the captain's visit or his pro- 
position. On the contrary, she was mad "clean through," and 
called him and his men "Yankee thieves and robbers," and added 
that if she had three hundred men, each as good as herself, she 
could whip the whole Seventeenth Regiment before breakfast. 
The captain finding the lady defiant and non-compliant, proceeded 
to the storehouse and took what he wanted. Then he placed a 
liberal value on them, for which he gave her a receipt, which was 
scoffed at, Mrs. Cleave averring that it was only "a Yankee trick,' ' 
and she would never get a cent for her provisions. But the captain 
pledged his word of honor that the paper was as good as gold, and 
added, " If the quartermaster refuses my receipt I will mj'self pay 
you the next time we come to Swift Creek.' ' 

The captain noticed that Mrs. Cleave had a sick child about 
three years old, and said: "As there is no physician of your own 
people in town, I will bring the surgeon of my regiment to see the 
child, and he will prescribe and give you medicine for it." She 



AT THE FRONT. 135 

said she wanted none of his doctors or their medicine, and that all 
the Yankees were cowards and thieves. The captain, however, 
brought the doctor, who prescribed for the child, and left with the 
mother medicine enough to last through the little one's sickness. 
When about to leave the house, Mrs. Cleave said: "Why don't 
you people go up to Kinston, where you will get all the fighting you 
want?" She added that her husband was up there and would 
help to give the Yankees a warm reception. 

The captain asked her husband's address, and promised her 
that he w^ould call upon him when he reached Kinston, which he 
hoped to do some day. She replied, " My husband keeps a tobacco 

warehouse on Street, but you will never get any of his tobacco, 

and will never go into Kinston alive, except as a prisoner of war.' ' — 
"Time will tell,' ' replied the captain. 

The fourteenth day of the following December the battle of 
Kinston was fought, and after Kinston was taken, true to his prom- 
ise, the captain called at the warehouse of Mr. Cleave (who, how- 
ever, was not there to welcome him), with a squad of his men. 
They found that Cleave, relying upon the defeat of the Yankees, 
did not begin in time to carry off all of his tobacco, and of course, 
the boys sampled the goods; and it is fair to assume that the boys 
of other companies — and regiments, too — did about the same thing. 
In other words, the Cleave tobacco warehouse was minus its stock 
of weed the following morning. 

Captain Splaine, not finding Mr. Cleave at his place of busi- 
ness, left word with some of the neighbors to give his compliments 
to that gentleman, and to say that in visiting his warehouse he was 
only keeping his promise to Mrs. Cleave that he would call upon 
her husband when he visited Kinston. 

During the following summer, the regiment again made an 
expedition to Swift Creek, and after wiping out Captain White's 
shingle battery, entered the town and settled do^m for a few day's 
rest. While Captain Splaine was resting in the shade of a tree, one 
of his sergeants, followed by a young negro, came up and reported 
that the black man wished to speak with him. The captain said, 
"W^ell, young man, what can I do for you?" — "Is you Massa 
Splain?" Upon being answered in the affirmative, the colored 



136 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

boy said that his "Missus" had sent her "complemts" to the 
captain and requested him to call upon her. The captain inquired 
who the lady was, and to his surprise the boy told him it was 
Mrs. Cleave. "Well, well," he said, "I had forgotten. Does 
Mrs. Cleave reside here now?" — "Yes, Massa," answered the boy. 
Looking at the boy, the captain asked: "Is the madam angry 
with me?" To which the messenger laughingly replied, "Oh, 
no, massa; but I reckon she wants to see you right bad.' ' 

Captain Splaine made his way to Mrs. Cleave's mansion. On 
seeing him approach, she came out on the piazza, and, much to 
his surprise, greeted him warmly and welcomed him to her house. 
She said : 

"Captain Splaine, you are a gentleman, a man of honor, and 
I think a man who never breaks his word.' ' 

Puzzled at the change in the lady's manner and her flattering 
language, the captain inquired as to what it all meant. 

"Well, sir," she said, "When you were here a year ago, I 
supposed you were a pack of cowards and thieves. You seized 
my supplies, and gave a receipt which I regarded as worthless, but 
when I presented it to the chief quartermaster at Newbern, I 
received a liberal compensation and in good money. Your doctor 
treated my child and left medicine for it. The child recovered and 
has not been sick since. You promised to visit mj^ husband at 
Kinston and sample his tobacco, and in this you kept your word, 
too. If you promised to go to Richmond and call upon President 
Davis, I feel that somehow or other you would keep your word.' ' 

To this last compliment, the colonel naively replied, "Rest 
assured, madam, that I am constantly praying for the opportunity 
of doing so." 

She continued, "I thank you, captain, for all you have done 
for me, and I thank you for calling upon my husband, even if you 
did sample his tobacco; and now I want you to do me a favor." 
The captain promised, provided that the favor would not imply 
dishonor or treason to his flag. 

"No, sir," she said, "You could not be guilty of either. The 
favor I ask is that you bring a few of your officers to dine with me 
today." 





Qw. Master Robert Harris. 



Lieut. James Moroney. 




1st Lieut. Eeekiel F. Mann. 



Michael Welch, Co. "K." 



AT THE FRONT. 137 

The captain remonstrated, and said, "As you have been sit- 
uated of late you cannot have much good money to spend for such 
entertainment." But he added, "If you are set on giving us a 
dinner, have your servants get us up a nice httle meal for four of us, 
and I will pay them hberally for it.' ' 

"No, sir,' ' she said, " You dine with me or we will fight again.' ' 
The captain seeing that discretion was the better part of valor, 
surrendered to Mrs. Cleave, accepted her invitation, and he, with 
Colonel Fellows, Doctor Hines and Adjutant Cheever, dined with 
her that day, and were royally entertained during the afternoon. 
She now came to look upon the Seventeenth Regiment and its 
officers as her friends. 

During the conversation of the afternoon, she remarked that 
the war was a cruel thing, and regretted that some means could 
not have been employed to prevent the outbreak of hostilities, and 
intimated that if all the people, or a majority of them knew the 
Yankees as well as she did, there would never have been any war. 
When the officers bade her good-bye, she said : 

"Gentlemen, if you ever come to Swift Creek again, I hope 
you will honor me with a call." 

Mrs. Cleave was a woman of strong characteristics, — strong 
in her likes and dislikes, and strong in her love for her southern land. 
Who could blame her? 

Here is another incident of a Swift Creek raid, which may not 
be out of place in the present connection : (I quote from "Soldier- 
ing in North Carolina' ' again) : 

"August 23d (1862), six companies of the Seventeenth went 
to Swift Creek again, accompanied by a section of the New York 
Marine Artillery and four boat howitzers. Lieut-Colonel Fellows, 
who had command of the expedition, having missed the boat that 
conveyed the regiment and artillery across the river, to the com- 
mand devolved upon the major, who marched them about a mile 
from the landing, and halted to await the colonel's coming. 

"The column halted opposite a dwelling, and, as is often the 
case under like circumstances, there was a rush for the well to fill 
canteens. Two of the men, however, strayed into a field, and were 
making a flank movement upon a pile of tumble-down log out- 



138 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

buildings, supposed to abound in hens, chickens, eggs, etc. One of 
the men, a very tall and large specimen of humanity, was named 
Oilman; the other was a small man named Bill Collins. 

"The valiant major detected this unauthorized affair, and 
being determined to put a stop to all such unmilitary proceedings, 
sang out : 

" 'What for you stray off that way? Come back, I say to you I 
Doubel quick!' (The major had not then fully mastered the pro- 
nunciation of English and his enunciation was amusingly peculiar.) 

"The little man obeyed, and came back at a dog trot. Gil- 
man, however, hastened back slowly — at much too slow a gait to 
suit his impatient superior, who yelled out again : 

" 'Doubel quick! — I say — Dou-Bel quick!' 

"But no faster came Oilman on, and the major, who was a 
little (or rather medium-sized) man, rushed to him, and seizing 
him by the coat collar, as he was crossing a fence, dragged him over; 
then drawing his sword, and flourishing it about the head of the 
still doggedly defiant Oilman, said, 

'You think because I am small, I be afraid of you? I will 
let you know. I)ou-bel quick, now, or I will make two Oilmans of 
you!' 

" 'I'm on guard, sir.' " *********** 

"When the expedition arrived at the bridge over Swift Creek 
it was evening. Our cavalry, which had preceded them, were 
bivouacked on the other side, and our men at first took them to be 
rebels, but were soon undeceived. 

"There was a storehouse in the village of Swift Creek, contain- 
ing a variety of articles in the dry goods, grocery and merchandise 
lines. Some of the boys smelt the plunder, and proceeded to con- 
fiscate. The wife of the owner of the store, suspecting what was 
going on, went to Colonel Fellows and told him the men were 
breaking in, and he immediately repaired to the scene of operations, 
to put a stop to such work. A member of Company K, who had 
been left on the watch, gave warning of the colonel's approach, and 
the raiders fled. 

" ' What ho, there! — What does all this mean? What are 
you doing here?' (To the man) . 



AT THE FRONT. 139 

"■ 'I'm on guard, sir.' 

" 'All right, madam,' said the colonel, 'yow see there is a 
guard on.' 

"What plunder the boys obtained it would be needless to state. 

"The expedition returned to Newbern, burning the bridge 
after them." 



A LAUGHABLE EXPERIENCE OF THE HISTORIAN. 

In the autumn of 1862, Company K of the Seventeenth was 
on picket duty at Evans' Mills, some six miles south of Newbern. 
The duty there was not arduous, and as the rebels did not trouble 
us much,^ — though a vigilant watch against surprise was always 
maintained, — the boys of Company K had a good time of it, and 
had liberal treatment in the matter of passes to the city. 

One day, on my return to camp from Newbern, where I had 
been on pass — feeling well and lighthearted — I encountered an 
adventure which may be worth telling for its oddity, if for no other 
reason. 

I had just come into the clearing of the plantation, when I 
saw on the road approaching me, a negro boy — a chap about 
twenty or twenty-five years of age — having on his head an almost 
rimless hat. As he approached, I recognized what might be called 
a character. His clothing, like his hat, was a reminder rather 
than the actual thing, in sartorial equipment. But it was not the 
makeup of the darkey that attracted me as he came closer. It was 
the face of this colored nondescript, which was distorted or illumi- 
nated with the most comical expression of internal fun and merri- 
ment I had ever seen. So comical did it then seem to me that I 
could not refrain from laughing outright as the boy came close 
to me. This seemed to be a signal for him to let loose an almost 
irrepressible series of "yah-yahs" and yells, which only a donkey 
can excel in. 

While this outburst greatly excited my risibles, I was not 
carried away by it, but simulated the yell-laughter of my opponent, 
and yelled and ki-yied in chorus with him to beat the band. I sat 



140 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

down on the side of the road to enjoy the fun, and the darkey laid 
down in the sandy road and rolled around and laughed in a con- 
tinuous paroxysm of yelling laughter. The more he laughed, the 
more I laughed, and the more I laughed the more frantic became 
his shouts and yells. I soon realized, however, that with me, at 
least, the laughter had assumed a form of hysteria, and that my 
best safety was in immediate flight. 

I got onto my feet, still laughing, and turned my back on the 
writhing, wriggling, yelling, shrieking darkey in the road. I did 
not dare to look back, but I could hear his yells and shrieks for 
half a mile. Not a single word was exchanged between us; it was 
laugh answering laugh. I wondered if the poor boy survived. As 
for me, the muscles of my chest were so sore for many days that if I 
even tried to clear my throat it produced an agony almost un- 
bearable. 



PLYMOUTH AND TARBORO EXPEDITION. 

On August 31, 1862, General Foster, in command of quite 
an army, of which the Seventeenth Massachusetts was a part, 
started from Newbern, and marched to Washington, N. C. There 
was some light skirmishing on the way, the losses on both sides 
being light. After resting at Washington, the army pushed on, 
going through Plymouth, Jamestown and Hamilton, evidently 
heading for the Welden Railroad, with the intention of destroying 
the road, and thus interrupt traffic, and cut off supplies to Lee's 
army. 

The light resistance offered by the enemy meant that at a 
point many miles in their rear their forces were being concentrated 
for the purpose of giving stubborn battle to Foster's command, 
and prevent the destruction of any of the main arteries of supply. 
Finally, Foster found himself confronted bj^ a large body of the 
enemy, which compelled the utmost caution, and it looked probable 
that the forces would clash at any moment. 

On the evening of the 8th, Foster selected not only a camp, but 
also a battle ground, threw out pickets and skirmishers, looked the 



AT THE FRONT. 141 

field over carefully, instructed his officers what to expect under 
certain circumstances, and then laid down with his troops to rest 
for the night. There wasn't much sleep, however, for any one, 
for there came upon the troops one of the heaviest rainstorms ever 
known in that rainy region. Such a soaking did it give, that next 
morning the muskets of the men were almost useless. It is safe 
to say that of the twelve thousand muskets in the expedition 
there were not a thousand that were serviceable. 

The troops had slept or lain in as much water as on land during 
the night, and General Foster, as soon as he was informed of the 
actual situation ordered a hasty retreat, even forbidding the 
making of fires for cooking or any other purpose, so that the enemy 
would not readily trace his line of retreat by the smoke. Hard 
marching was persisted in until the command was considered safely 
beyond the reach of the enemy. 

The expedition entered Plymouth two days afterwards, where, 
after a much needed rest, water transport was taken for Newbern. 
The expedition was a trying one, the marching heavy, the weather 
bad, and all in all, the troops suffered a good deal without having 
accomplished anything worth mentioning. 



THE GOLDSBORO EXPEDITION. 



Battles of Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro. 

From services of a peculiarly local character in North Carolina, 
in and around the city of Newbern, and taking part in expeditions 
to various points in that state, either alone or in conjunction with 
other military organizations, the Seventeenth Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Infantry was, in December, 1862, called upon to participate 
in one of the most considerable military demonstrations yet made 
in North Carolina, which had for its object the destruction of rail- 
way communication between the extreme southern states and Vir- 



142 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

ginia by the coast-wise system of railway, the most important line 
of transportation in that section of the Confederacy. 

This was to be effected by the burning of the railway bridge 
across the Neuse River, near Goldsboro and the destruction of the 
track of the Wilmington & Welden Railroad, some seventy miles 
above the city of Newbern. The movement was made in connec- 
tion with the military operations in Virginia, where General Burn- 
side was in command of the Union forces in front of Fredericksburg, 
and active hostilities had already begun. 



Short Rations. 

Although the best possible preparations may be made to 
supply an army with food during an active campaign, yet there 
are times when unforseen circumstances occur which upset the 
best laid plans, often resulting in shortage of supplies and conse- 
quent suffering, hunger and many other discomforts. Such a con- 
dition of affairs occurred during the early part of General P oster's 
campaign of the Goldsboro Expedition. 

The distances from Newbern to Kinston, N. C., being only 
thirty-five miles, and the little army moving by slow stages, it was 
not expected that any one would go hungry, as the men were sup- 
plied with one day's rations, and the presumption being that they 
would be in touch at all times with the supply train which accom- 
panied the troops. 

Things went all right during the first day's march, but on the 
second day no rations were forthcoming, and the little army moved 
along, skirmishing and joking, without a bite to eat. On the 
following morning, there being no rations, and as word had come 
that the wagons were stuck in the mud several miles behind. Cap- 
tain Splaine, ever watchful for the welfare of his company, deter- 
mined that his men at least should have something to eat before 
going to sleep the coming night, and, acting upon that idea, he 
detailed A. Park Lewis of Company A, gave him an order on the 
quartermaster for a box of hard bread, some coffee and sugar, and 
also handing him his pistol, instructed the soldier to go back until 



AT THE FRONT. 143 

he found the army supply wagon, and bring the goods up to the 
company. Lewis hesitated a moment, and then inquired : 

" How can I bring all that stuff?' ' 

To this the captain replied by instructing the soldier to cap- 
ture two " contrabands' ' make a handbarrow of the box by cutting 
two strong poles and binding them to the box with withes, and 
then by keeping up a good gait, it would be only a question of time 
when the much-longed-for hard tack would be at the disposal of 
his hungry men. Lewis, who was a sturdy, brave young man, 
readily understood his captain's orders, and started at once to obey 
them. 

After Lewis had gone, the captain feeling might}^ hungry, gave 
to Charley Keyes, another of the men of Company A, a five-dollar 
bill, told him to go around to the men of the different regiments, 
and buy some hard bread, adding, "If you can't do any better, 
give the five dollars for three hard breads.' ' 

Keyes was absent about an hour, and upon his return reported 
that he couldn't get a bite of any thing for love or money. The 
captain thanked the soldier, though he felt both hungry and gloomy 
but, true to the old adage that "every cloud has a silver lining," 
he soon realized a relief which was as welcome as it was unexpected. 

Captain McNamara's boy (John Lynch), appeared on the 
scene, and asked if he had seen Lieutenant Splaine (the cap- 
tain's brother) that morning. The captain said that he had not, 
and Lynch remarked that as he had been unable to find him, he 
thought it might be best to offer the breakfast he had prepared 
for him to Captain Splaine. The captain remonstrated with Lynch, 
saying : "Keep it, and no doubt the lieutenant will soon appear.' ' 
But Lynch, evidently liking the captain better than the captain's 
brother, insisted that he should have the food prepared for that 
officer. Hunger is a great persuader, and thinking that perhaps 
his brother had secured something to eat somewhere, the captain 
ate the proffered food. 

In the meantime the lieutenant Splaine asked his captain 
(McNamara) if there was anything to eat. The captain said 
there was, and that I^ynch had gone looking for him, and had taken 
the food with him. The lieutenant went skirmishing after Lynch, 



144 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

to get his breakfast, being hungry as a bear. He found his servant 
talking with Captain Splaine, and asked for his breakfast. Poor 
Lynch looked confused, and afraid, too; but after waiting awhile, 
made answer that he had given it to the lieutenant's betters. "My 
betters. Who are my betters?" — "Your brother, the captain," 
replied the man. 

At this stage the lieutenant looked wild, and acted as though 
he wanted to strangle poor Lynch. But the captain now broke in 
and reminded his brother that the soldier had done his best to find 
him, and thinking that maybe he had joined some other officers 
who happened to have something to eat, thought it best to relieve 
the sufferings of his officer's brother. 

"Your betters" was justified by the explanation that a cap- 
tain (to the man) was better than a lieutenant, and therefore should 
have the precedence in the matter of breakfast, when there was 
only one breakfast for two. 

This comical explanation somewhat mollified the lieutenant's 
temper, if it did not allay his hunger. 

About this time the order to fall in came down the line, and 
soon after " Forward, march!' ' If a well-fed citizen of Massachu- 
setts had seen those gallant fellows swing along, joking and laugh- 
ing, or singing "John Brown's Body Lies Mouldering in the Grave," 
he would not suspect that ninety percent of them were at that 
moment feeling the pangs of hunger. Such was the stuff that the 
boys in blue were made of. Such men are capable of overcoming 
all obstacles in war as in peace. 

Well, the little army moved on and covered seventeen miles 
that day. Park Lewis and his contraband train had marched 
back eight miles to the quartermaster's resting-place in the mud, 
then marched up again eight miles, and then had to march seven- 
teen miles more before catching up with Company A, making 
thirty-three miles of marching that day. He and his contrabands 
were cheered to the echo when they appeared. No conquerer 
could have been given a more hearty reception and praise than was 
bestowed on Lewis and his supply train. 

Quickly the box was opened, and in order that the greatest 
good to the greatest number should be secured, the captain care- 



AT THE FRONT. 145 

fully counted the hard breads, finding just 612 in the box. Each 
man of Company A got a fair share of the bread, sugar and coffee, 
and then the captain sent some supplies to regimental headquarters 
some to the regimental hospital, a few to each of the the company 
officers, and last, but not least, he sent some to John Lynch, who so 
kindly gave that breakfast to him in the morning. It is safe to 
say that Company A was the happiest company in that little army 
that night. 

Progress was slow on account of the road being blockaded by 
trees felled across it by the enemy, the line having to halt while the 
pioneers removed them. On the third day the line of march was 
resumed towards Kinston at 7:30 a. M.,,the men eager for the en- 
counter, though rations had given out, owing to the non-arrival 
of the supply train, which was delayed by muddy roads, over 
which the artillery and ammunition wagons were given the prece- 
dence. 

About 11:30, the battle of South West Creek was invited by 
our artillery, they shelled the woods where the rebels were known 
to be in force, but drew no response from the latter. The regi- 
ments, as they arrived, were placed in position for the battle that 
seemed inevitable on the following day, which was Sunday. The 
supply train having arrived in the meantime, rations of hard 
bread and coffee were issued to the men, who bivouacked there for 
the night. 

THE GOLDSBORO EXPEDITION. 

(As Described by a Private in the Ranks.) 

In "Soldiering in North Carolina," written and published by 
the editor of this memorial history, there is an account of the Golds- 
boro Expedition, which has perhaps variety enough to make it 
admissable for publication in the present connection. This book 
was written at a time when the events, scenes and incidents por- 
trayed were still vividly fresh in the memory of the author, who, 
like Captain Moore, was in the habit of making notes of passing 
events and happenings. At the time of the expedition, it may be 



146 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, 

stated, the Seventeenth was doing provost duty in Newbern. 
Extracts only are given. 

Leaving Newbern. 

"At three o'clock on the morning of Thursday, December 11, 
1862, we were awakened by the bugle call, and after a hasty meal, 
formed in the yard of our (Company K's) quarters, and proceeded 

to the place of rendezvous for the regiment on Street. A 

gray, frosty mist enveloped the city, which was alive with march- 
ing men, — horse, foot, artillery and forage and ambulance trains. 

"As early as was the hour, however, the whole population — 
especially the negro portion— were abroad in the streets, and many 
fervent prayers and good wishes for our success were showered 
upon us by the poor negro women as we passed along. 'Oh,' 
exclaimed one, 'I know de Lord, am walking alongside ob you, 
and you will best de rebs, I knows — I knows!' — 'Aunty,' sang out 
a soldier in the ranks, ' If I don't come back, you'll never get paid 
for them clothes you washed for me.' — 'Nebber mind de clo's, 
honey,' exclaimed the generous old woman, and then changing 
her tone, she continued, 'Oh, Lord! — de Lord! — Oh, good Lord! 
Nebber come back! — Oh, de poor sojer! Lord help de poor sojer! — 
Amen for de poor sojer! Amen! Glory!' We halted on the Trent 
road just beyond Fort Totten, and awaited the movement of the 
various bodies of troops that were to precede us. The morning 
broke clear and cool, and beheld a fine array of infantry, with their 
polished arms, cavalry and artillery, taking up their line of march, 
with an elasticity of step, and a merry hum of voices that unmis- 
takably showed how high the spirits and expectations of all were 
aroused, and that it required only an able general to lead such 
an army from victory to victory. 

"As we advanced into the country, the evidences of former 
strife everywhere met the eye, in the deserted plantations, houses 
burned to the ground or partially destroyed, and an air of ruin and 
desolation pervading all. 

"After a tedious, plodding march of about fourteen miles, 
the army bivouacked for the night on a plantation which seemed 
more fortunate than many others we passed. But its time had 



AT THE FRONT. 147 

come, and as regiment after regiment arrived and stacked arms, 
it was a curious study to watch the rush they made for the nearest 
fence, the eager scramble for rails and the disappearance of fences, 
as if by magic. As night darkened over the scene, the countless 
bivouac fires rose in all directions, casting a lurid glare up to the 
sky, and forming about as picturesque a scene as could possibly be 
imagined. And the sound of voices and laughter, the neighing 
of horses and unearthly braying of mules, all combined to render 
that (my first) bivouac a something to be remembered. Beyond 
where we encamped Thursday evening, the rebels, having notice 
of our approach, blockaded the road for two miles, by felling trees 
across ; but the pioneers set about removing them during the night, 
and when the army resumed its march in the morning the way was 
cleared, and we passed on 'into the bowels of the night.' 

''About 10 A. M. on Friday, a skirmish occurred near Trenton, 
between our advance guard of cavalry and some rebel cavalry and 
infantry, in which the latter were routed, with the loss of three or 
four killed and several wounded and taken prisoners. Our advance 
reached Southwest Creek about noon on Saturday, and the enemy, 
about two thousand strong, were posted beyond with a battery com- 
manding the road. The Ninth New Jersey and Morrison's Bat- 
tery were sent forward to feel their position, and a smart cannonade 
of some two hours' duration took place, when the Ninth New Jer- 
sey made a detour through the woods putting the rebels to flight. 
They made another stand about four miles this side of Kinston, 
when the same force pushed after them, and engaged them for 
about half an hour, when the rebels again fell back." ****** 

Battle of Kinston. 

"On Sunday morning, the 14th, we resumed our march on 
Kinston. From the place where we had encamped, the road wound 
through low, swampy ground for about two miles, when we came 
out upon higher land, where our advance (the Ninth New Jersey 
and Wessell's Brigade) had bivouacked for the night. The ad- 
vance was already in motion, and our regiment followed. In the 
low ground of Southwest Creek, we saw the evidences of yesterday's 



148 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

strife — two cannon captured and a few dead rebels. When we 
passed the lowlands, we saw abundant evidences of hasty prepara- 
tion for resisting our advance; but I suppose, as a very considerable 
body — who expected us on the other road, where they were strongly 
entrenched — could not be got up in time, General Evans thought 
it prudent to abandon them. We had not proceeded far, however, 
when the crack of musketry told us that our advance was driving 
in the enemy's pickets; and soon, as we shortened the distance be- 
tween us and the scene of the coming battle, the more regular and 
deliberate volleys of small arms announced that the battle had 
opened in earnest. Soon the artillery came galloping up, and took 
position just as we reached the wood skirting the battle-field. We 
were halted and ordered on to the right of the road to support a 
battery. The enemy were advantageously posted in a swamp, 
and on a rising ground beyond, about a mile from the bridge lead- 
ing across the river to Kinston. 

"The action, which was commenced by our advance in the 
morning, was sustained with vigor, until the main body of our 
forces came up, when the battle became more earnest and terrible, 
and as battery after battery arrived in position, and opened their 
fire on the enemy, the ground fairly shook with their repeated 
reverberations, while the sharp roll of musketry — whole battalions 
delivering their fire at once — filled up the intervals. The rebel 
position was well chosen, under cover of dense undergrowth of 
wood, their foreground protected by groves of pines, which, how- 
ever, offered no impediment to our artillery, which mowed them 
down like grass. ******* 

"We stood a few minutes in the position we had first taken, the 
cannon booming away like thunder, and the bullets began to whiz 
athwart our line quite lively — hurting nobody, however, — when the 
artillery officer, who was on horseback said, 'Here they come; the 
devils are on us!' We could see the gleam of bayonets at the edge 
of the wood, and fully expected a charge. Colonel Fellows ordered 
the men to fall back a few yards to a fence, unsling our blankets 
and fix bayonets. This was done, and we awaited with anxiety the 
onset of the rebels. ******* 



AT THE FRONT. 149 

"While we were in position awaiting the onset of the enemy, 
an incident occurred, which showed how severely men will look 
upon others going into the same danger they are in themselves. A 
negro teamster with his ammunition cart, was ordered forward to 
supply another battery on our right, whose caissons were running 
low of ammunition. The poor fellow thought he was going to his 
death, and if ever mortal fear displayed itself upon the countenance 
of any human being, it was upon that poor darkey's face. I shall 
never forget the wild rolling of his eyes, nor the frenzied and agon- 
ized expression of his face as he hesitatingly guided his team in 
front of our regiment, urged on by our men with such encouraging 
remarks as 'Go it, nig; don't be afraid'— 'You're a gonner, old 
darkey,' — 'good bye ' — 'V7on't the rebs chew him up?' etc. 

"We waited sometime for the rebels to appear, but they came 
not. In the meantime the battery we were supporting was ripping 
up the woods in fine style — at every discharge cracking off the pine- 
trees as if they had been pipe stems. At length an order came for 
us to proceed further down to the right, where the Ninth New Jer- 
sey and a battery had preceded us, and here we crossed a swamp 
and turned the enemy's left. 

"We were to push on, but our lieutenant-colonel, awaiting 
orders, halted us in a clear field beyond the swamp, and ordered 
us to lie down. The Ninth New Jersey were off in the woods to our 
right, and when I first beheld them, I took them for rebels. From 
the position occupied, we could see the long line of entrenchments 
in our front, but we did not suppose a river intervened, which was 
the case. During the movements just recorded, the firing had 
been rapid and tremendous, and from the cheers of our men we 
could clearly infer that the rebels were giving way. Then was the 
golden opportunity for us — for, had we advanced as we did after- 
wards, instead of taking a few hundred prisoners, we should have 
captured an entire brigade — bat it was lost. * * * * 

"Colonel Amory coming up, the regiment rose like one man, 
and on the order being given to forward at the double quick, rushed 
down with a yell. As we neared the bridge, we beheld a rout — an 
almost indescribable body of men running for their lives. All 
discipline seemed lost, and casting aside guns, equipments and 



150 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

clothing, and in fact, whatever might retard their flight, they fled 
like a herd of frightened deer, while close upon their heels came on 
the charging columns of our men. It was a magnificent, and yet 
it was a pitiable sight. As intimated before, we succeeded in bag- 
ging a goodly number, but the bridge being set on fire, we were 
forced to give over the pursuit until the flames were extinguished. 

"While lying down in the field, I observed a substantial looking 
two-story house in our front, and near the bridge, a large portion 
of the rear of which had been shattered by a shell evidently the work 
of the enemy. I found this the case when we halted near the 
bridge, from which position I could observe that the missile had 
entered the roof of the piazza, gone clear through the house, burst- 
ing as it was penetrating the rear wall, and making the havoc 
described. Standing upon the piazza, the picture of anguish and 
despair, were two women, who seemed watching the rout of their 
army with a terrible and heart-sick interest, perfectly heedless of 
the missiles of death flying around thick and fast. Some of our 
oflficers, taking pity on the poor women, and solicitous lest the ex- 
posure would endanger their lives, approached and advised them 
to retire to a place of safety. But they resolutely refused to stir 
from their dangerous position. Doubtless they had friends near 
and dear to them in the flight, and anxiety for the fate of the loved 
ones made them forget the natural timidity of their sex, and thus 
risk their lives. 

"The brigade of General Wessell's opened the battle in fine 
style, driving in the rebel advance, and alone sustained the onset 
of the rebels, until the brigades, commanded by Colonels Amory, 
Heckman and Stevenson, got into position, where they formed the 
right wing of our line of battle, — Stevenson and Heckman center 
and Amory the right. 

"General Evans commanded the rebel army, which consisted 
of over five brigades of about fifteen thousand men, including a 
brigade of home guards from Raleigh. Other troops were from 
South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi. * * * The fire of the 
rebels upon our attacking columns was rapid and well-directed, and 
did great havoc among them; but our line kept steadily though 
slowly, (from the nature of the ground,) advancing upon them, and 



AT THE FRONT. 151 

after a severe contest of five hours, and just as the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts and Ninth New Jersey had succeeded in turning their 
left flank, an impetuous charge was made, and the day was ours. * 

"Men were detailed to put out the fires (on the bridge), which 
had been kindled by the retreating rebels, which in a short time was 
accomplished, and the Seventeenth Massachusetts crossed over, 
followed by the Ninth New Jersey; and here I had an opportunity 
of seeing some of the most terrible evidences of human strife. 
The bridge was actually paved with cast-off arms and equipments, 
while in the midst of where some of the fires had been, I beheld one 
of the most sickening sights that ever met my gaze. Some of the 
poor fellows who had been wounded by our fire on the retreat, or 
been trampled down in the rush of the flying host, were burnt to 
cinders, and I could actually see the fat seething and boiling in the 
hollow of the temple of one of the charred remains. 

"Upon reaching the other side of the river we halted, amid a 
promiscuous mass of dead, dying and wounded men — of clothes, 
arms and equipments. It was here that the Ninth New Jersey 
picked up (captured) the battle flag of the Twenty-second South 
Carolina Regiment — a magnificent silk banner, with the palmetto 
tree on one side of the field, and a wreath of stars On the other, and 
the red, white and red bars. 

"A few yards from where we halted was an abandoned field- 
piece, with its caisson, which the rebs had left in their flight. It 
was the same cannon that had fired the last rebel shot in the battle 
and wounded two or three men. * * * 

"After a short halt, we advanced up towards the town of 
Kinston, whither the Ninth New Jersey had preceded us, * * * * 
At the entrance to the town the Ninth New Jersey were halted, and 
when we came up, mutual cheers were exchanged. Just then. 
General Wessells came riding up at the head of his brigade of 
Pennsylvanians and New Yorkers. * * * * 

"The rebels, after collecting their stores and all the cotton 
they could gather into a heap, set them on fire. They also set 
fire to the railroad depot, a handsome brick structure, but it was 
extinguished by our men before it had made much headway. 



152 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

" Previous to our entering the town, a flag of truce, demanding 
its surrender had been sent in; but it was found the enemy had 
abandoned the town, and a messenger was sent back acquainting 
General Foster with the fact, and the party kept on to find the ske- 
dadlers, if possible. About two miles beyond the town they came 
up with Evans, who sent back word to General Foster to have the 
women and children removed, as he was going to return the fire, 
which all the time had been kept up by our heavy guns upon his 
retreating forces. This was simply a ruse to gain time; for, after our 
forces had been brought up and disposed in line of battle, and the 
cavalry and skirmishers had advanced up to where they expected 
to find the enemy, it was ascertained the birds had flown." 

Surrender of a Confederate Company. 

While several companies of the Seventeenth were chasing the 
Confederate rear guard, the commander of Company A observed 
a company of the enemy hiding — some of them secreting them- 
selves in a culvert, and others lying down near by, on the side of 
the highway, at a point where there was a very palpable depression 
in the roadbed, which offered temporary protection. The enemj'-, 
in securing this hiding-place, hoped to remain undiscovered until 
nightfall, when they could rejoin the main body on the hills above. 

''The commander of Company A found himself so near the 
detachment referred to that he made up his mind that General 
Evans wouldn't dare fire upon him for fear of hitting his own men, 
became emboldened, and after instructing the men of his company 
as to what was expected of them, he ordered a rush at the enemy, 
which resulted in the surrender of First-Lieutenant Evans and 
thirty- three enlisted men. Lieutenant Evans was the nephew of 
General Evans, then commanding the Confederate army on the 
heights beyond. 

''Our regiment, which had been detailed from the brigade, 
when we entered Kinston was ordered on provost duty, in view 
of the anticipated flight, was ordered to rejoin the brigade; but when 
the skedaddle was discovered, we were again assigned to provost 
duty, and such marching and countermarching, and shifting, and 



AT THE FRONT. 153 

looking around for vacant places to serve as quarters for the 
night, as the men of Company K had, never fell to the lot of so 
tired and hungry a set of men to experience. I suppose some of 
the other companies could boast of similar experiences. 

"The gunboats. had come up to a blockade about four miles 
below the city, which was defended by an earthwork fort, and 
after we had driven the rebels out of Kinston, we could hear the 
continuous boom of heavy artillery in that direction. A squad of 
the Third New York Cavalry started for the scene, and surprised and 
captured the fort that was pounding away at the gunboats, with 
nearly all in it. 

"The result of our day's work may be summed up in a few 
words: We beat the rebels from a strong position, took over 500 
prisoners and eleven pieces of artillery. * * * 

"On Monday morning, we were awakened early, and, with 
the Ninth New Jersey, took up the advance. Re-crossing the bridge, 
we passed over the battle-field, and here I observed a fine mastiff 
lying down beside the bod}' of his dead rebel master. I had often 
read of such things, but I had at last the privilege of seeing for my- 
self that noble instinct of affection which binds so closely the ties 
between man and the inferior animals. ***** 

"The army bivouacked for the night within about four miles 
of Whitehall. * * * * About nine o'clock Tuesday, our advance 
came up with the enemy at Whitehall, who, after a short skirmish, 
retired across the river, burning the bridge behind them.' ' 

Engagement at Whitehall. 

"Upon the advance of our forces towards the river — a feint 
being made as if we intended to cross — the enemy opened on us 
from the opposite side, with artillery and musketry. They had 
also a number of sharpshooters in the tree tops and other advanta- 
geous positions on the other bank, who kept up a continuous fire 
upon us, with perfect impunity, too, for we could not see them, but 
they could see us, and picked off many of our poor fellows. 

"The Seventeenth was ordered down to the near river bank, 
on the right of the road, and got into a hornet's nest and no mistake, 



154 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

for the shells burst around and among us, and the bullets made the 
air vocal with their insinuating whizzing; but, though we had quite 
a number wounded, not one of our number was killed. While 
being actively engaged upon the river bank, our own artillery came 
up, and commenced pelting at the rebs in glorious style. We had 
six batteries (forty-two pieces) in the expedition, and here they 
were all brought into play. The enemy had a good share of artil- 
lery, and when they all got into full working order, what with the 
bursting of shells and the rattle of small arms, the ground fairly 
shook with the reverberations. 

"The wooded bank of the river, on which the Seventeenth was 
posted, becoming dangerous from the fire of our artillery, which 
ripped through the trees and drove the splinters about in all direc- 
tions, wounding some of our men, Colonel Amory sent in his aide 
for lieut-Colonel Fellows to draw his men further to the rear. I 
was sitting cosily on the edge of the sloping river bank, with my 
legs astride the butt of a tree, and anxiously dodging my head about 
in search of a sharpshooter, who was, as I had occasion to believe, 
engaged exclusively in the endeavor to put me out of suspense and 
existence at the same time, when the aide came up and inquired 
where the Lieut.-Colonel was. Perhaps it was officiousness on 
my part to direct him in the most safe and expeditious way to find 
Colonel Fellows, who, as usual, was at the front; for, without 
noticing my directions he -proceeded further, and came near faring 
worse. Just as he was taking advantage of an opening in the 
underbrush to go down along the bank, whizz, bang, came a shell 
from the enemy, which passed within two feet of him. He drew 
back pale, and looking frightened enough; but, rallying, he pro- 
ceeded a few yards further, but just as he had found another opening 
one of our batteries sent a discharge ripping through the woods 
just in front of him again, when, thinking probably he had gone 
far enough in that direction, he came to the right about, and sought 
the path I had pointed out to him in the first place. 

"Our regiment was withdrawn about one hundred yards to 
the rear, ordered to lie down, and remained there under fire for 
three hours. * * * * Before the engagement had shown any sign 
of abating, the Seventeenth was ordered to take up the advance for 



AT THE FRONT. 155 

Goldsboro. We had to pass across the battle-ground under fire 
every step of the way, but, strange to say, no casualties occurred 
during this movement. We halted opposite a house * * * * 
when we were accosted by an enthusiastic but prudent defender of his 
country, who had taken shelter in the lee of the house, safe from the 
enemy's bullets, who exclaimed, *'I say, boys, ain't we giving 'em 

hell?" Bestowing on the hero a few 'Oh, you be d ds,' we 

resumed our march, and soon left the fierce cannonade far behind 
us. 

"The battle of Whitehall was little more than an artillery 
duel. * * * * I think there must have been a great deal of lead 
wasted and iron thrown away. The only sensible impression made 
by our projectiles that we could see was upon the frame of a gun- 
boat on the stocks at the other side of the river, (intended for an 
ironclad), and this was certainly riddled up in fine style. The 
mention of a gunboat, or frame of one, puts me in mind of a daring 
act performed the evening previous to the battle by one of the 
Third New York Cavalry. He stripped off, swam the river and 
was in the act of setting the gunboat on fire, when he was discovered 
and fired upon, and had to dive into the river, leaving his work un- 
done, and swim back again amid a perfect shower of bullets not one 
of which, strange to relate, touched him. * * * * 

"Our regiment was followed by the Ninth New Jersey and 
others, until all the infantry were under full headway, leaving only 
a battery and a company of cavalry to engage the attention of the 
enemy until nightfall. We continued our march to about five 
miles of Steep Creek, and eight of the Wilmington Railroad, and 
halted for the night." 

Battle of Goldsboro. 

"On Wednesday morning our regiment, followed by the Ninth 
New Jersey, again took up the advance and proceeded cautiously 
along to within about two miles of the railroad, where, as we came 
out upon the brow of a hill, we could see about a mile in our front, 
the gleaming of the enemy's arms, as they slowly withdrew. Our 
advance companies came up with them, and quite a skirmish en- 
sued, in which Sergeant Hardy of Company F was killed. Lieut- 



156 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Colonel Fellows seemed in his element, and went on even in ad- 
vance of the skirmishers. A battery had been placed on the hill 
just mentioned, and commenced shelling the retreating rebels. 
We advanced through a wood, skirting the mill-pond, and just 
on the farther edge of the wood, where we struck the country road, 
we came upon a deserted rebel camp, the fire still burning, and in 
the ashes of which many roasted sweet potatoes were found. 

"After a short halt we advanced along the county road about 
an eighth of a mile to the south of the railroad bridge over the Neuse 
River, on arriving at which place abundant evidences were manifest 
of a hasty preparation to receive us, abandoned in greater haste, the 
hoes and shovels used in making the rifle-pits and breastworks 
being left in confusion along the track. Axes were immediately 
brought into requisition, the telegraph poles cut down and the 
wires destroyed. We halted a few minutes just beyond the rail- 
road, and two companies being sent out as skirmishers to the left, 
took up our march on the track towards the bridge, which it was 
the purpose of the expedition to destroy. This bridge was a mag- 
nificent structure (magnificent is too superlative, fine is better), 
about two hundred feet long, and is said to have taken twelve 
months to build. 

" The Seventeenth had proceeded but a quarter of the distance, 
however, when they were opened upon by a battery placed on the 
track across the bridge, which, having the exact range of our posi- 
tion, sent shot and shell into us with terrible accuracy. The track 
was immediately cleared, the regiment dividing, taking each side 
of the railroad (the bed of which there rose to an elevation of about 
ten feet), and gradually advanced toward the bridge. The fire 
from the battery and sharpshooters on each side of the railroad, 
became so continuous and heavy that it was difficult to tell whether 
moving along or lying still was most dangerous; but we kept pres- 
sing on, returning the fire as best we could. Our firing was rapid, 
but, though the bullets flew into where the enemy were supposed 
to be, yet I doubt if they did much execution. 

"While advancing cautiously onward, and during one of the 
pauses in our progress, rendered prudent by the iron and leaden 
hail directed against us, an incident occurred which impressed me 



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AT THE FRONT. 157 

at the time as being truly ludicrous. A Company K man, named 
Gately, who was hugging the side of the railroad with commenda- 
ble zeal, was approached by a rebel of the canine species, who, with 
the instinct that often approaches to reason, and is at times wonder- 
fully developed in this species of animal, seemed to realize that he 
was in the midst of danger, and sought the nearest place of shelter. 
For this purpose he insinuated himself between the soldier and the 
ground. The man, not relishing the companionship, from pruden- 
tial reasons, no doubt, — an inch of elevation in the position he then 
was, affording so much of an additional mark for bullets or erratic 
pieces of shell, — endeavored to dislodge him, saying, 'Clear out, 

d n you.' But the dog would not stay repulsed, and again 

returned. 'Give him the butt of your musket,' suggested Phil 
Mealley (another of Company K's men), 'Knock him over into the 
ditch.' This suggestion was acted upon and the dog driven off. 

"As we were marching down the railroad in the first place, 
and when the enemy opened upon us, the cry was raised among the 
men — Billy Patterson's stentorian voice being among the loudest — 

'Unfurl the flag. Let the d d rebs see what we fight under. 

Show them our colors.' A man named (Michael) Carney of 
Company I, who was color-sergeant, immediately responded to 
the call, and shook out the folds of the old 'star spangled banner,' 
and there he stood on the railroad track alone, a mark for the 
enemy's sharpshooters, but strange to relate, though two of the 
color guard who were lying down behind him were wounded, he 
received not a scratch. This act of true bravery, no matter how 
ill-advised it may have been, is, 1 think, deserving record, and the 
honor of the deed should be given to the man who so nobly faced 
death while upholding his country's flag. 

"Having progressed in the manner described about an eighth of 
a mile, when, from the skirt of the woods bordering the field on the 
left, came whiz-z-z, a volley of musketry fired by file, followed in 
half a minute's time by another volley delivered at once. (I should 
judge from the length of the line that not less than three regiments 
fired each time.) And then commenced a scene that it would be 
vain to attempt to describe, especially for an actor in it. In less 
time than I can relate it, every man who was not wounded, had 



158 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

jumped, tumbled headlong or rolled over into the ditch at the right 
of the track and the regiment was apparently thrown into the 
wildest confusion. I have been told that those who witnessed the 
scene thought for the moment that the Seventeenth was cut to 
pieces, but were agreeably surprised to see the brave fellows spring 
up again, and commence a rapid fire upon the enemy, using the 
elevated bed of the railroad as a breastwork. There were 
several men wounded from these volleys. The rebels, evidently 
mistaking the distance (about 200 yards), and the height of the 
railroad bed, did not fire high enough, and most of their bullets 
lodged in the bank at the left — an extremely lucky circumstance 
for us all, as was also the interruption to our progress thus given; 
for had we crossed the bridge few of us would have returned to tell 
the tale. ****** 

"After a while, Morrison's Battery came thundering along and 
got into position in the field at the right of the railroad, and com- 
menced hurling shot and shell into the enemy in fine style. * * 
One of our fellows had taken shelter behind a log, and a non-com- 
missioned officer, observing the act, routed him out, telling him 
to go forward and do his duty. The man departed and the officer 
took his place, snugly ensconcing himself behind the log. 

"Lieut-Colonel Fellows was continually going up and down 
the line, encouraging his men, showing them by his example a pat- 
tern of the most fearless l)ravery. Lieutenant Graham of the Ar- 
tillery (not the Artillery, but the North Carolina loyal mounted 
infantry) went forward with combustibles to fire the bridge, but 
soon returned pell-mell, and jumping behind a log, exclaimed, 

'D n them; they won't give a fellow the ghost of a chance out 

there.' An order was given to form into firing line * * * * and 
we marched out from behind the embankment, and were halted 
in the rear of Morrison' Battery, and ordered to lie down in a 
hollow made by taking earth from the bed of the railroad. The 
rebels seemed to have the exact range of the position, and the 
way the shell and solid shot scattered and tore up the earth about 
us, and in our midst was a caution. Colonel Fellows alone stood 
up, and some of the officers were remonstrating with him upon the 
rashness of thus exposing himself, when a shell at that moment 



AT THE FRONT. 159 

came screaming by, apparently within a few feet of his head. 
'Phew! There she goes!' exclaimed the colonel, and replying to 
the officers, he said, 'Well, it appears to me that it is just as safe 
standing here as lying down. If a man is to be hit, he'll be hit 
lying down as well as in any other position.' — 'Poor philosophy,' 
colonel, I thought, 'but very inspiriting words.' 

"Lieutenant Barnabas N. Mann then came forward with a 
bundle of prepared combustibles in his hands, and called for two 
volunteers to accompany him to the bridge to operate with another 
party in an endeavor to fire the same. The men, Besse and Ed- 
mands of Company A, were instantly forthcoming, of course, and 
the trio started on their dangerous errand. We watched them 
with anxiety, and saw them gain the bridge amid a perfect death- 
shower of bullets, one of which, unfortunately, hit our brave lieu- 
tenant Mann on the plate of his sword belt, causing a severe wound. 
They returned with the wounded officer, reporting that they had 
succeeded in their enterprise. 

"Faint cheers were now heard from the rebels, and on looking 
to ascertain the cause, it was discovered that a train had arrived 
with re-inforcements, which could be seen debouching from the 
cars, and forming in line of battle across the railroad. Captain 
Morrison, learning this, immediately jumped upon the railroad and 
directed the fire of his battery. The first shell fell rather to the 
left of the rebel line. The second fell in their midst, almost on the 
railroad track, and the way they scattered into the woods was 
amusing. A 'monitor', or battery, came up with this train, and 
immediately commenced shelling us, every shell bursting directly 
over our heads. At the third fire from Morrison's Battery, the 
shell exploded the engine, and a column of white smoke shot up 
into the air, carrying with it, no doubt, the lives of many poor 
rebels. The enemy's fire began to slacken, smoke could be seen 
issuing from the bridge, and soon the whole structure was wrapped 
in flames. The most important part of our work was accomplished. 

" In the meantime the work of tearing up the rails and sleepers 
of the railroads, and setting them on fire, was efficiently performed 
by the gallant Fifth Massachusetts Regiment and the New York 
Cavalry — the latter destroying another railroad bridge about two 



160 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

miles north of the great bridge; and when the fight was concluded 
I had time to notice the smoke of hundreds of fires extending as 
far as the eye could reach on the bed of the road, indicating how 
completely the work of destruction had been accomplished. ' J^ 

'' Our regiment marched out from under fire, and was received 
with cheers from all the other regiments that had come up to our 
support. We then took up the advance on the return movement, 
but had not proceeded far when we heard firing and cheers of men, 
indicating that the fighting was not yet over, and soon an order 
reached us to halt. We were formed in line of battle, in case 
the forces in front would be compelled to retreat, but after a half 
hour's suspense in this position, we w^re ordered again to the 
scene of our late labors, where we arrived in time to see the tail 
end of the fight, and to find w^e were not needed. 

"It appears that just after we had retired from the field, and 
towards sunset, the rebels having crossed the county bridge, some 
half a mile above, to the number of three or four thousand, 
came down and charged across the railroad upon Battery B, Third 
New York Artillery. They formed in three lines of battle, and came 
on with a terrible sweep, intending to crush all before them. 
The captain of the battery ordered his pieces to be loaded with 
double charges of canister, and when they came within about sixty 
yards, sent a hail-storm into their midst, which mowed them dow^n 
like grass, and before they could rally or fly, sent another discharge 
into them, which threw them into such confusion that they incon- 
tinently fled and were seen no more. The Fifth Regiment w^as sup- 
porting this battery, and received great praise for its gallant be- 
havior. About forty prisoners were taken, and if the artillery sup- 
ports had charged, no doubt many more would have been captured. 

"Our aid not being required, we went to the right-about and 
again took up the backward track; but though night had fallen on 
the scene, our way was not in darkness, for some of the men — 
stragglers, perhaps — of the advance regiments had amused them- 
selves by setting the woods on fire on both sides of the road. The 
scene was grand. The huge pitch pines, which had been stripped 
to obtain the green from which turpentine and rosin were made, 
were ignited and burned fiercely, and lined our road on either side 



li M 



AT THE FRONT. 



161 



like flaming sentinels. The underbrush had also caught, as well 
as the dried leaves, and with their volume of light added, rendered 
our pathway as clear and distinct as if the noonday sun poured 
down his burning beams. The heavy and regular tread of the 
marching battalions, the rumbling of the artillery and the baggage- 
wagons and ambulances, the braying of mules, the confused hum 
of voices, the occasional cries of pain from the wounded men, the 
fierce flaming, cracking and crackling of the trees on fire, the 
occasional crashes of the falling giants of the forest, and the illumi- 
nated cloud of smoke which hung over all, made up a picture of 
sight and sound, that once witnessed can never be forgotten.' ' 

And all this and many other scenes of warfare, equafly striking, 
are today only pleasant memories, more or less distinct, in the 
minds of the few remaining participants in them. 



THE LOSSES IN THE THREE BATTLES. 

KiNSTON — Ninth New Jersey, 2 killed, 22 wounded, 2 missing. 

Whitehall — 44 wounded. Goldsboro— 11 wounded. 

Fifth Rhode Island, 1 killed, 4 wounded. 

Third New York Artillery— Battery B, 2 wounded; Battery F, 
2 wounded. 

Twenty-fourth New York Independent Battery — 1 killed. 

Wessell's Brigade, 85th New York, 3 wounded. 96th New 
York, 1 killed, 6 wounded. 22d New York, 2 killed, 16 wounded. 
The 101st Penn. did not lose any in killed or wounded. 85th 
Penn., 9 wounded. 103d Penn. (with only 450 men) had 14 killed 
and 58 wounded. 

Casualties in Second Brigade, Colonel Stevenson. 10th 
Conn., 11 killed, 86 wounded, of whom 10 died shortly after. 24th 
Mass., 1 killed, 7 wounded. 44th Mass., 8 killed, 13 wounded. 
Fifth Rhode Island, 1 killed, 3 wounded. Battery B, 1st R. I. 
Artillery, 1 killed, 8 wounded, 18 horses killed and wounded. 

Casualties in Third Brigade, Colonel Lee, 5th Mass., 7 wounded 
Third Massachusetts, 2 wounded. 27th Mass., 3 wounded. 46th 
Mass., 2 killed, 3 wounded. 



162 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Casualties in First Brigade, Colonel Amory, Seventeenth Mass., 
1 killed, 29 wounded. 45th Mass., 6 killed, 12 wounded. 23d 
Mass., 14 killed, 52 wounded. 51st Mass., 2 wounded. 43d 
Mass., 2 killed, 1 wounded. 

Artillery Brigade, Colonel J. H. Ledlie — 2 staff wounded. 
Battery B, 4 wounded. Battery F, 8 wounded. Battery E, 3 
wounded. Battery I, 1 killed. Battery K, 2 killed, 5 wounded. 
24th Battery, 1 killed. 

Casualties in 3d New York Cavalry — Co. A, 3 wounded, 7 
horses killed. Company B, 7 wounded, 10 horses killed. Com- 
pany E, 2 wounded. Company K, 2 wounded. 

Total, 72 killed, 460 wounded. 

The following Massachusetts Regiments participated in these 
battles : 

Third Regiment, Colonel S. P. Richmond. 

Fifth Regiment, Colonel George H. Pierson. 

Eighth Regiment, Colonel J. F. Coffin (Garrisoned Newbern 
while the other troops were away.) 

Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment, Lieut.-Colonel John F. 
Fellows. 

Twenty-third Regiment, Major John G. Chambers. 

Twenty-fourth Regiment, Colonel T. G. Stevenson. 

Twenty-fifth Regiment, Colonel Josiah Pickett. 

Forty-third Regiment, Colonel Charles L. Holbrook. 

Forty-fourth Regiment, Colonel Francis S. Lee. 

Forty-fifth Regiment, Colonel Charles R. Codman. 

Forty-sixth Regiment, Colonel George Bowles. 

Fifty-first Regiment, Colonel A. B. R. Sprague. 
The other regiments and batteries engaged were : 

Battery F, First R. I. Regiment, Captain James Belger. 

Fifth R. I. Regiment, Captain Job Arnold. 

Third N. Y. Cavalry, Colonel S. H. Mix (Cos. A, B, E, D, K.) 

Third N. Y. Artillery, Colonel J. H. Ledlie (Batteries B, C, 
F,I,K.) 

Twenty-second N. Y. Infantry, Colonel Walter Phelps, Jr. 

Eighty-fifth N. Y. Infantry, Colonel J. S. Belknap. 

Ninety-sixth N. Y. Infantry, Colonel Charles 0. Gray. 



AT THE FRONT. 163 

Tenth Connecticut Volunteers,' Colonel E. D. S. Goodyear. 
Twenty-fourth N. Y. Independent Battery, Captain T. E. Lee. 
Ninth New Jersey Infantry, Colonel C. A. Heckmann. 
The Eighty-fifth, One Hundred and First, and One Hundred 
and Third Pennsylvania Regiments. 

The Killed and Wounded in the Goldsboro Campaign. 

The following letter from Colonel Splaine will be read with 
interest by many of the comrades who can appreciate its senti- 
ments : 
" To Thomas Kirwan, 

"Historian of the Seventeenth Infantry. 
" Dear Comrade: 

"When reading your account of the Goldsboro Campaign, I 
was impressed with the meagre detail concerning the killed and 
wounded of the regiment during that expedition. You are not to 
blame for not giving the names, for you had but very little official 
data concerning that movement at your command. The printed 
accounts relating to the part taken by Massachusetts soldiers in 
the Civil War, issued by the Commonwealth, simply state that the 
soldier was either killed, discharged for disability or by expiration 
of service. Immortal honors to the memory of those who were 
killed; but how about those who were severely or slightly wounded? 
Slight wounds were often as painful as severe ones. 

"I remember distinctly that we had many men wounded at 
Kinston (December 14, 1862), Whitehall (December 16), and Golds- 
boro (December 17, 1862). I will not attempt to name all of the 
men of my own company who were wounded in the three fights, 
although there were quite a number, for fear it would look like neg- 
lecting other companies of the regiment whose losses were quite as 
heavy as my own. 

" I feel it a positive duty, however, to mention James McKnight, 
who was shot down by my side in the battle of Whitehall. His 
ankle and leg were shattered, necessitating amputation of the limb. 
The amputation was performed right there on the field. Poor Jim! 
He lived some years after this, but an untimely death was the final 
result. We are consoled, however, for his loss by the fact that he 



164 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

is survived by his gallant brother of the same company and regi- 
ment, John W. McKnight of Beverly, Mass., who is respected wher- 
ever known as a good citizen, a patriotic soldier, and as one who 
retains to the last the respect and confidence of his old commander. 
There was one killed and several men of the regiment of every 
company wounded in the battle of Goldsboro, and three com- 
missioned officers severely wounded there. They were Captain 
George W. Kenney, First Lieutenant Barnabas N. Mann and 
Second Lieutenant Ezekiel F. Mann ; but there is no mention of the 
wounded in the volume issued by the state, so that when a man was 
discharged for disability, we do not know whether it was for the 
loss of a limb or for malaria. ^nfj^l 

"It is well-known that the Seventeenth Regiment was the only 
Infantry command actively engaged at the Goldsboro bridge, and 
it is also well-known that that railroad bridge was burned by men 
of our regiment — and I think the command was most fortunate in 
escaping with the loss of only one killed and twenty-nine wounded. 
Sergeant Hardy of Company F was the man killed. There were 
other regiments in the Goldsboro fight, but ours was the only one 
at or near the bridge. 

''By adding these few remarks to your account of the Golds- 
boro Campaign you will oblige, 

Henry Splaine." 



STORY WITH A SEQUEL. 



By the Historian. 

Stories of the war, with sequels, are not uncommon, and this 
one may be perhaps among the least wonderful and exciting. 

During the fight at Whitehall, on the Goldsboro Expedition, 
while the Seventeenth Massachusetts was lying in a field near the 
burned bridge, under a heavy cannon and musketry fire, I left my 
place in the ranks, and went down to the river-bank, about 150 or 
200 feet distant. I selected a tree about fifteen inches in diameter, 



AT THE FRONT. 165 

growing on the edge of the steep bank, and got behind it, with my 
legs embracing it; my feet hanging over the bank. 

I was looking for experience and soon found it. I had scarcely 
settled myself when the zip of a ball reminded me that some one 
on the opposite bank desired to have a little sport with me. The 
opposite shore was heavily wooded down to the water's edge, so 
that those under it were invisible to me. I had not long to wait, 
however, for a second salute, the firer of which I located approxi- 
mately by the smoke which arose from the discharge. I returned 
the compliment, aiming below where the smoke ascended. We 
exchanged shots for perhaps half an hour, some of them coming 
very close to my head and body, chipping the bark from the tree, 
and two tearing holes in my clothing. 

Suddenly, I felt a hot, burning pain in the lobe of my right ear. 
At first, I thought it was the sting of a bee, but realized on reflection 
that it couldn't be that, as it was December, when the bees were 
in their hives. I put my hand to the lobe of my ear, which began 
to swell and was painful, and then I realized it must have been 
caused by the ''windage," so-called, or vacuum created by the 
passage of a ball at high velocity. I took it as a hint to evacuate, 
returned to the regiment, which was still lying down and resumed 
my place in the company's ranks. 

Some ten years later, I was in North Carolina, doing a mining 
business in the foothill counties above Charlotte, which city I 
made my headquarters. It was during the Ku-klux excitement, 
and United States troops — cavalry, infantry and artillery — w^ere 
quartered in the counties of Mecklenburg, N. C. and York, S. C, 
the disturbances being in the adjoining counties in both states. 
At the Mansion House in Charlotte, where I stayed when in town, 
there were several army officers and their wives. The?e officers 
had been in the Civil War, and as the hotel was also a rendezvous 
for a number of ex-confederate officers, it can be understood that 
in the evening, when the pubKc room was well occupied, stories 
and reminiscences of the late war were frequently heard. 

One evening, while in this company, the talk turned on "close 
calls' ' in the strife of war — narrow escapes, in fact. Some wonder- 
ful and thrilhng stories of such escapes were related, and being 



166 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

called upon to contribute any experience of the kind which I had 
had, related the above episode, with considerable misgiving as to 
its unimportance. To my surprise, when I had finished, a gentle- 
man present (Dr. McCoombs), who had been a regimental surgeon 
in the Confederate Army said : "I know the man who was shooting 
at you at Whitehall. He is chief of police at Charlotte, and I 
know would like to meet you.' ' 

"I should like to meet him,' ' I said. 

"I'll bring him in to see you tomorrow,' ' said the doctor. 

The next day the doctor came in accompanied by a fine, 
stalwart six-footer, whom he introduced as City Marshal of Char- 
lotte. We soon compared notes and were satisfied as to our mutual 
identity. He was as pleased to meet me as if I was a long-lost 
brother, instead of a whilom enemy, and on my part I was equally 
pleased to meet him. 

The story spread among the habitues of the hotel, and a move- 
ment was at once made to conmiemorate the occurrence by a supper. 
This took place on the evening of the day following, and was largely 
attended by Confederate officers — fine, hearty fellows all. 

Of course, the story of our duel across the Neuse at Whitehall 
had to be repeated, speeches were made, and the last remembrance 
(a hazy one, I own) which I have retained of this occurrence is, 
that the city marshal and I were embracing "over the bloody 
chasm," 

THE RETURN MARCH 



From Goldsboro to Newbern. 

On December 18th we marched to within four miles of Kinston 
on our return march towards Newbern. 

On December 19th, we took up our field hospital, left near 
Kinston, where Doctor Galloupe had been compelled to leave many 
of our wounded, among whom was one of the Seventeenth, whose 
wounds were so severe that the surgeon had removed the right arm 
from the socket and had amputated the left leg near the hip. 

The writer of this sketch remembers talking with Doctor 
Galloupe about the man just referred to, and as they approached 



AT THE FRONT. 167 

the field hospital, the doctor remarked that he did not expect to 
find him alive; but to his great surprise, the patient was doing 
well and finally recovered. But many weeks afterwards, when 
the man was able to undertake a journey North, and while await- 
ing a furlough which had been applied for and was a long time com- 
ing, the poor soldier contracted malaria, which caused his death. 

The writer is unable at this late day to state the name of the 
soldier referred to, and yet recalls the fact of having made applica- 
tion for an indefinite furlough tor the man. 

The march homeward from Goldsboro brought the command 
back to fields of victory, marched over but a few days previously. 
The interest taken in those scenes by the officers and men was very 
marked and interesting, many relating incidents of the conflicts 
and telling of personal experiences during the hours of danger; but 
some of them forgot to speak tenderly of the comrades they had 
seen go down in glory. 

On December 20th, many of the regiments were allowed to cut 
loose, to make their way to Newbern, then thirty-five miles distant. 
Among the regiments were the Ninth New Jersey and the Seven- 
teenth Massachusetts — old and tried friends — but on this occasion 
a friendly rivalry sprang up between them, to see who could reach 
Newbern first. It was nip and tuck for a long time, and at last, 
the Seventeenth being well in advance. Colonel Fellows concluded 
he would halt the Seventeenth, and give the men a chance to make 
a little hot coffee, but just as the coffee was getting warmed up, the 
Ninth New Jersey came tearing along, and then Colonel Fellows 
shouted, "Fall in. Seventeenth!" Coffee-pots were emptied of 
their contents, or some of the men drank the coffee as they marched, 
and entered the gates of Fort Totten, winners, after a smart march 
of thirty-five miles. When the troops reached Newbern, they 
were thoroughly exhausted, and were granted a much-needed rest 
before resuming any very severe duties. 

Soon thereafter came Christmas, many of the boys receiving 
presents from their friends in Massachusetts. The good cheer 
of a soldier's Christmas, coupled with the recent successful campaign 
made it more than an ordinary Christmas to the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Relieved from Provost Guard and Back in Barracks at the 
South Side of the Trent — The Johnnies Came to Collect 
A Year's Rent — Battle of Blount's Mills — Charge the 
Causeway — Gum Swamp Expedition — Trenton and the 
Barber of Seville — Plenty of Water Down There — 
Winton or Mt. Tabor Church — The Captain's Shower 
Bath — Escorting the Colors — Captain Mac and the 
Laughing Mule — Didn't Blame the Captain. 

After the return of the troops from the Goldsboro Campaign, 
the Seventeenth Massachusetts did provost duty in the City of 
Newbern, housed comfortably, and had an opportunity to rest and 
clean up. This could not last, for an order was issued sending the 
regiment across the Trent into barracks, which the Seventeenth 
had erected the year before, and which had been occupied by 
several regiments alternately — the last being the Forty-fifth Reg- 
iment. It took the Seventeenth a few days to settle down in 
their old quarters. 

No sooner had the regiment become settled than it was dig 
and delve, and throw up a line of rifle pits around and at the 
opposite end of the county bridge. As days came and went, rumors 
were rife of danger everywhere, and with frequent orders to be 
ready at a moment's notice, and many orders to cook three days' 
rations, the regiment was kept busy. 

Pickets were driven in on the Trent road, and three men killed. 
There were rumors that Newport Barracks were being attacked 
and bad reports came from Little Washington. On March 14, 
the regiment went to a review, which was changed into a defence 

[168] 



AT THE FRONT. 



169 



of Fort Anderson. On April 7th, it crossed the Neuse River, 
and moved towards Blount's Mills. 



ATTEMPTED TO COLLECT A YEAR'S RENT. 

On the morning of the 14th of March, 1863, the many Union 
commands in and about Newbern, having performed their various 
duties incident to that time of day, and enjoying the repose that 
came from long-continued inactivity, were suddenly aroused by 
the sudden and excited appearance of aid-de-camps from the head- 
quarters of the general commanding, ordering all troops under 
arms. The long roll was beaten, and then it was hustle and hustle. 
Fall in. Seventeenth ! 

Then the sudden booming of artillery coming from the west- 
erly side of the Neuse River plainly told that the enemy in force 
had suddenly attacked Fort Anderson. The Seventeenth was 
double-quicked to the long bridge spanning the Trent River. 
Now could be seen the many gunboats composing the Union 
flotilla getting under way and taking part in the defence of Fort 
Anderson. The boats hurled shell after shell over the fort into 
the ranks of the attacking enemy. 

The graceful movements of the gunboats up and down the 
harbor, while keeping up an incessant fire on the enemy, the 
screaming and bursting of shells, coupled with the steady fire of 
artillery and infantry from Fort Anderson, presented a spectacle 
long to be remembered. 

These conditions lasted about two hours, when the Johnnies 
made up their minds that the anniversary of the capture of 
Newbern by the Union troops, under General Burnside, was not 
a favorable day for the collection of a year's rent. The enemy 
was repulsed with considerable loss, while the Union loss was 
very small. 

During the afternoon, the many commands were returned 
to their stations of the morning, to take a rest and consider the 
impertinence and the impropriety of any landlord attempting 
to collect rent during the middle of the month. 



170 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

BATTLE OF BLOUNT'S MILLS. 



To Charge the Causeway 
By an Officer of the Seventeenth. 

(The following article, descriptive of an episode of the war 
in North Carolina, which might have eventuated in a tragedy 
not unlike the "Charge of the Light Brigade" in the Crimean 
War, when "somebody blundered,' ' if Colonel Amory, in command 
of the brigade of which the Seventeenth was a part, had not inter- 
fered, is by an officer of the Seventeenth who was present at 
the engagement, and is a truthful description of the occurrence.) 

In the early spring of 1863, when the Union lines were extended 
from Newbern to Plymouth on the northeast and to (Little) 
Washington on the north, the Confederate generals evidenty 
saw an opportunity to damage the prestige of our arms in North 
Carohna, and invested Little Washington, which was about 
seventy miles from Newbern. The garrison at this place was small. 
It consisted of eight companies of the Twenty-Seventh Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, one company of the First North Carolina 
Infantry (Buffaloes) , one company of the Third New York Cavalry, 
Battery G, Third New York Artillery— less than seven hundred in 
all. This garrison had been reenforced by a portion of the 
Forty-Fourth Massachusetts, and a number of negros willing to 
fight, who had been given arms by Colonel Lee of the Forty-Fourth. 
The whole garrison thus re-enforced numbered not over one 
thousand men. 

The rebels began to invest the town, and cut off supplies and re- 
enforcements, but General Foster, who was in Plymouth, ascended 
the river on March 30th, and took personal command. Defences 
were strengthened, and every preparation made to defend the 
town to the last extremity; but the odds were all against him and 
his handful of men. 

As a matter of fact. General Foster was hemmed in at Wash- 
ington, N. C, besieged on one side by the Confederate General 
Hoke, thereby cutting off all means of escape by land, while 
retreat by water was rendered almost impossible by a portion of 



AT THE FRONT. 171 

the command of General D. H. Hill, who occupied a strong 
position on a promontory at a narrow point of the river, some 
fourteen miles below the town. 

This position was well chosen, being high land, was easy of 
access from a good public road, and was easily made almost 
impregnable from the water side, while its elevation gave the 
gunners in it complete command of the river. Many heavy guns 
and some smaller ones were mounted at this point, and it is safe 
to say that, as our navy was then represented in North Carolina 
waters, it could have disposed of any naval force we could send 
against it. 

The position referred to was known as "Hill's Point," for it 
was General D. H. Hill of Lee's army, who was conducting the 
movements which were intended to culminate in the capture of 
Little Washington and General Foster's little force of defenders in it. 

General Hill, having cut off the retreat of the Union forces by 
water, now turned his attention to finding a position where he 
could successfully deal with a comparatively small army that was 
marching overland from Newbern, with the object of raising the 
siege and rescuing the garrison. 

Hill chose "Blount's Mills" as the ideal spot where with 
his ten thousand veterans, he could resist the onslaught of forty 
thousand ; and he chose wisely. He selected a long ridge of high 
land — almost terraced in shape on the side of approach — with his 
center resting in front of a causeway, which constituted at once the 
mill dam of Blount's Mills, and the only passable road for artillery, 
the only other road or way of approach being at least twenty 
miles away, and out of the question. 

Hill's position gave him every advantage that he could desire. 
The form of his works enabled him to concentrate the fire of every 
piece of artillery he had, and that of the majority of his infantry, 
upon this causeway — the only possible way that an attacking force 
could reach him. The position was impregnable, and Hill knew it. 

At the base of Hill's position was an almost interminable 
swamp, ruiming for miles to the right and left of the causeway. 
It was impassable at any other point, and dangerous everywhere 
else to every living thing except snakes and mosquitos. The road 



172 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

from Newbern to the causeway ran parallel with the swamp, and 
did not extend beyond it, turning into the causeway at right angles. 
Surveying this swamp from the road, the writer recalled the lines 
of the poet Moore : 

"By that lake whose gloomy shore 
Sky-lark never warbled o'er.' ' 

The scene was not only dismal, but silent as a graveyard. 
This silence, however, at that time, was not destined to last long. 

The reader must remember that the road ran parallel with the 
swamp, and now that the Union force (under General Spinola) 
had come up, it found itself in line on this road, with its right 
resting at the end or junction with the causeway. The right of the 
line was the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry then commanded 
by Colonel Fellows, Colonel Amory being Acting Brigadier- 
General on this occasion. 

It would appear that General Hill, well knowing the exact 
position that Spinola's troops must occupy, had caused his engineer 
to measure with accuracy the distance between the two lines, and 
his artillery had their shell fuses cut to suit the distance, so as to 
quickly deal destruction to the Union forces as they arrived and 
took up position. 

While approaching the scene of coming conflict, some colored 
men cautioned General Spinola, Colonel Amory and others, of 
the close proximity of Hill's army, remarking that there was a 
"right smart good lot of rebels" up there. Spinola, Amory and 
others did look carefully over the ground, too. At the right of 
the line, or head of the causeway, all any one would need to do 
was to look into the muzzles of Hill's guns to see the reception that 
awaited the attacking force. 

The place, which a few minutes before was so silent, now 
became the scene of a one-sided conflict, for Hill, having perfect 
range of the Union forces, opened with all his artillery, dealing 
death and destruction right and left. Belger's Battery, which was 
supported by the Seventeenth Massachusetts, was almost com- 
pletely knocked out. Its captain and lieutenant were wounded, 



AT THE FRONT. 173 

and had to be removed from the field. Nearly all their horses 
were killed and many of the men wounded. 

At this juncture, the first piece of real generalship was shown 
on the Union side. It was by Colonel Fellows, who saw at a 
glance that the enemy had perfect range of our lines, and, waiting 
for a lull in the noise of battle, cried out in his loud and very 
musical voice, "Seventeenth, fall back." And immediately 
after, in a low tone, said, "Halt! Lie down.' ' 

The enemy heard his command to fall back, but not hearing 
the second command to halt, took it for granted that the Union 
troops had fallen back some distance, and they lengthened their 
fuses, which caused the explosion of their shells some distance 
beyond our lines. 

There was very little infantry firing, as the enemy was not to 
be seen, because of the intervening trees and undergrowth. Belger's 
men were frequently assisted by men of the Seventeenth in hand- 
ling their guns. The battery did splendid work and elicited great 
praise from the officers of rank in charge of the movement. 

About this time. Adjutant Cheever of the Seventeenth came 
down the line, inquiring for Captain Splaine, and said "Captain, 
you are ordered to the right of the line." The captain, as he 
received the order, looked Cheever in the face, and thought he 
saw signs of emotion which should not belong there under ordinary 
conditions, and inquired hurridly but quietly, "Cheever, what is 
it?" Cheever glanced at the captain, lowered his head and said, 
"You charge the causeway." Captain Splaine answered, "We will 
charge it," and at once ordered his company to "Right dress! 
Front! Fix bayonets!" and glanced along the line. His glances 
were answered by those of his unflinching men, ready to obey his 
next order with equal alacrity. They suspected that there was 
something special, maybe something desperate, to be attended to. 
"Without doubling, right face! Support arms! Forward, march!" 
shouted the captain, and as the company swung along, the com- 
mander said "Step, step, step, step!" and along they marched 
with heads erect, preserving the cadence of the march, reached the 
right of the line and reported to Colonel Fellows: "Halt! Front! 
Right dress! Front! Present arms!" thus saluting the colonel 



174 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Colonel Fellows looked at Captain Splaine and his company, 
and said, "Do you know what you are up here for?' ' The captain 
replied that he was there to charge the causeway. "Yes, sir," 
replied the colonel, "but you marched up here as though you were 
going on dress parade." The only answer of the captain was 
"Colonel, we are soldiers." "Rest your company, captain, and 
await orders." said the colonel. The captain ordered arms 
and in place, rest. 

Then he went quietly among his men, telling them of the 
movement they were about to undertake, and instructing them 
as to what should be done under contingencies that were likely 
to occur in case the charge was made. While awaiting orders the 
men examined their muskets, cartridge boxes, cap boxes, read- 
justed their belts, straightened their caps, smoothed out their 
blouses, and seemed very determined to be in the best possible 
trim when the order came. 

At this moment Colonel Amory rode up, looked at the com- 
pany, and asked Colonel Fellows, "What is this company doing 
here?' ' On being answered that it was there to charge the cause- 
way, he exclaimed, "What! Who ordered it?' ' " General Spinola,' ' 
was the answer, and then with a painful look on his face, he actually 
scowled at Captain Splaine, and said "Don't dare to move, sir, 
until I return." His scowl was not intended for the captain, 
but for a combination of circumstances which makes it possible 
to have a man in command of an army who didn't know any better 
than to order a single company to charge across a causeway into the 
"jaws of death,' ' without a solitary chance of securing correspond- 
ing, or at least, commensurate results for the sacrifice that was 
to be made. 

Just as Colonel Amory was about to turn his horse's head, a 
shell, in its shrieking flight, passed between the colonel and his 
horses' head. The big black horse trembled perceptibly, but the 
rider sat like a statue, apparently not noticing it. Colonel Amory 
then went in quest of General Spinola. Shells and bullets were 
flying about pretty lively during all this time ; many of the men of 
the regiment were wounded, but fortunately none were killed. 



AT THE FRONT. 



175 



In a few minutes, Colonel Amory, accompanied by General 
Spinola, returned to where he had left the company in question, 
and then there was fun for the boys. Colonel Amory told the 
general that he protested against sending that company over the 
causeway, and added : " If you order it forward, I shall order it back 
and will take the responsibility!' ' 

Colonel Amory was re-enforced by Colonel Fellows, and there 
was a lively time between them. The upshot of this colloquy 
was that this company of the Seventeenth was ordered back to 
its position in line. If it had charged over that causeway, not a 
man would have returned to tell the story. 

Let me contrast the commanding officers in this episode which 
was so near to a tragedy. The general — well, we may call him a 
''bully boy" who knew comparatively nothing about military 
matters. He certainly was not a great general. Colonel Amory 
was a regular army officer, and as well able to command an army 
as a regiment; tall, dignified and soldierly in bearing. Colonel 
Fellows was a trained solcUer from boyhood; tall, handsome, 
educated and soldierly in every respect. Think of these two able 
officers playing second fiddle to a man who hardly knew the right 
flank from the left! Captain Splaine thinks that they, by the ex- 
ercise of their good judgment and firmness in deahng with an in- 
competent commander, saved his life and the lives of the men of his 
command. The company over which so much fuss was made 
was Company A of Newburyport. 

This engagement of Blount's Mills was fought on April 9, 
1863. It may be added that, though General Foster was "bottled 
up' ' in Little Washington for the time being, he soon found a way 
to draw the cork. He had gone to Plymouth in the steamer 
"Escort," and when the investment of Washington was reported 
to him, he took the steamer to Washington, where he put the 
defences in such good shape that the Confederates paused before 
making a demontration to take the place. Finding the expedition 
for the relief of the beleagured town unsuccessful, he took the 
"Escort" down the river past the fort, under a murderous fire 
from cannon and rifles, which riddled the upper works of the steam- 
er, and arrived safely in Newbern, where he at once organized a 



176 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

new expedition, and within a week marched to the rehef of Little 
Washington, the project to capture which had been given up 
before the arrival of the expedition. 



GUM SWAMP EXPEDITION. 

On May 22, 1863, the Seventeenth Massachusetts, several 
other regiments, some artillery and quite a command of cavalry, 
under command of General Innis N. Palmer, proceeded part way 
by rail to Gum Swamp, where it was known that quite a large body 
of the enemy was basking in the sunlight of imagined security, and 
doing a little prowling around without much molestation from 
Union forces. The expedition went in to camp a short distance 
from the terminus of the railroad, and next day moved forward, 
pushing the enemy's skirmishers before them. The firing was 
desultory, with a few wounded on each side. The Union force 
then camped for the night, and next morning the boys were pushed 
rapidly forward, meeting the enemy in considerable force. A 
line of works was encountered, and after consultation between 
General Palmer and the regimental commanders, it was decided 
to move on the works. There was some artillery firing, and the 
rush for the defences, which were carried, but not until Colonel 
Jones of the Fifty-eighth New York was killed, and a few men in 
each regiment wounded. 

Colonel Fellows commanded the Seventeenth Massachusetts 
and Colonel Amory was acting brigadier-general. 



THE BARBER OF SEVILLE. 

During the summer of 1863, a large body of troops, commanded 
by Colonel Amory, marched to Trenton by way of the south side 
of the Trent River. The Seventeenth Massachusetts, under 
Fellows, was part of this force. The march was tedious, slow and 
hot, and several unimportant skirmishes with the Confederates 
took up the attention of the column on the way. On arriving at 



■'^^8!^*'^'>** ' " 



C\ 




^' 




Capt. James Splaine, Co. "A." 



Sergt. Granville Hardt. 



%#i^ 



-^anife. 



y 




JoHx W. McKnight. 



James McKnight. j 



AT THE FRONT. 



177 



Trenton, the whole force settled down to await developments, as it 
was currently reported and believed that the Johnnies stationed at 
Kinston would come out and try conclusions Avith the Yanks. 
The men were taking a good rest, and having ample shelter from 
the sun, were quite happy, yet constantly on the watch against 
surprise. 

After the troops had been resting for about three days. Captain 
McNamara of Company E, Seventeenth, was possessed of the idea 
that he needed a shave, and summoned the regimental barber, 
Jack O'Hara, to do the work. " Give me a shave. Jack,' ' said the 
captain. "All right, captain," responded Jack, who, by the way, 
was a member of the captain's company, "I will be with you in a 
moment.' ' In a few minutes he returned with a tin dipper and a 
lathering brush. The next thing was to find a seat for the captain. 
This was found in the shape of one of twin trees that had been cut 
down, leaving the other standing. Seated on this stump, with his 
back leaning against the tree, the captain waited for the tonsorial 
artist to begin. Jack got up a rattling lather, which he spread 
thickly over the captain's face. He then put his hand in the 
pocket where he usually kept his razor, but no razor was to be 
found, and it now^ dawned on him that he had forgotten that in- 
strument which was left in camp forty miles away. "My heavens, 
captain, I have left my razor in the camp !' ' The captain, thinking 
he was about to lose his shave, which he needed badly, exclaimed, 
"The devil, damn you, you fool, what did you do that for?" 
Jack said, " Please, captain, don't be angry, and I will run down the 
line and borrow a razor.' ' And he departed. But he never came 
back. His attempt to borrow a razor was fruitless, and fearing 
the consequences of the captain's wrath, he did not show up, and 
was not seen by the captain during the rest of that short campaign. 
With Captain McNamara was his trusted friend. Captain Henry 
Splaine. When it became evident to the latter that Jack was not 
coming back, the reason for which he guessed, and as McNamara 
was about as mad as a March hare, he tried to comfort him, as well 
as moUify his wrath, by excusing Jack, whom he suggested, think- 
ing that the expedition was only for a day or so, did not think it 
worth while to take his razor with him, and the same reason no 



178 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

doubt prevailed with many other owners of razors; but of course, 
he would yet find one somewhere, and would no doubt be back 
soon. 

It may be stated that near where the officers were there was a 
dense willow hedge of stunted growth. The two actors in this 
comedy, it was evident could not see through that hedge. If they 
could, probably this story would never have been told. Captain 
Splaine now said to his friend, after his effort to soothe his wrath, 
"Captain, I have often heard that it was a bad thing to allow 
lather to dry on one's face, as it was likely to make the face sore, or 
maybe cause skin disease. Now, if you will consent, I will keep 
the lather moist until Jack returns." Mac consenting. Captain 
Splaine proceeded to lather his face, and so industrious was he in 
his new job that in a short time the lather on Mac's face stood out 
in bold relief. 

During this operation, Splaine was most voluble, his victim 
submitting quietly, but hoping that Jack would soon return with 
the razor. Finally, seeing that he could do no more in the lather- 
ing business, Splaine now said : '' Mac, I am now satisfied that Jack 
has been unable to borrow a razor, and is afraid to come back with- 
out one. I think, therefore, I had better shave you myself.' ' 

Thereupon, Captain Splaine drew his sword, holding it in his 
right hand, and seizing the end of Captain Mac's nose between the 
thumb and forefinger of the left hand, proceeded to shave his vic- 
tim in a most unheard-of way. He scraped and scraped, tearing 
off heaps of lather, and no beard, for of course the sword wasn't 
sharp enough to shave a scalded pig. This curious scene lasted 
for a while, until the victim began to realize the ludicrousness of 
the situation, and begged Splaine to desist. This the latter was 
loth to do, when Mac was seized with a fit of laughter. He was not 
the only one, however, who was moved in this way by the comic- 
cality of the scene, for, from behind the willow hedge came a 
chorus of laughter. Mac continued to laugh, and in doing so, 
gulped down enough of the lather to nearly strangle him. Splaine, 
however, scampered off as quickly as he could, for in the laughter 
beyond the hedge, he recognized familiar tones. As he went away, 
he wiped the lather off his sword, so that his men wouldn't suspect 



AT THE FRONT. 179 

anything funny, for he was a rather strict disciplinarian, and on 
duty something of a martinet. 

After a while he joined his company and laid down a little way 
from the men to get a rest, but he wasn't permitted to rest long. 
An orderly from regimental headquarters came along, speaking 
in turn to each commissioned officer, saying: "Wanted at head- 
quarters, sir." The same message was for Captain Splaine, who 
joined the other officers as they moved to headquarters, all wonder- 
ing what was up. Splaine suggested that perhaps a new move was 
on foot, such as taking a dash at the outskirts of Kinston, have a go 
at the rebs, and then fall back on Newbern over the Neuse road. 

When all had reached Colonel Fellows' headquarters, they were 
cordially received by him. He said, "Gentlemen, the day is warm, 
and I know you must be tired waiting around here, and in order to 
break the monotony, I have invited you here, and have ordered 
Sergeant Rankin to give each of j^ou a little medicine, and as you 
drink it, I want you to drink to the health of "The Barber of Se- 
ville." The majority of the officers were puzzled at the curious 
request, but two of their number suspected what it implied. It may 
be explained that al)out that time there was on the boards in the 
North and West the opera of " The Barber of Seville.' ' 

As captain Splaine approached headquarters, he saw on his 
left the identical willow hedge behind which he had shaved Cap- 
tain McNamara a half hour before, and now, coupling the title of 
the toast with the scene behind that hedge, he concluded that 
laughter which he had heard was in reality that of the whole field 
and staff, including Colonel Amory, from the piazza of the house 
in which they were now drinking the health of "The Barber of 
Seville." 

The medicine disposed of. Colonel Fellows said: "Gentle- 
men, give me your attention for a moment, and I will tell you what 
I meant when I asked you to drink the health of "The Barber of 
Seville!" 

Then he related what he and the others of the field and staff had 
witnessed beyond the willow hedge. The officers greatly enjoyed 
the story as Colonel Fellows related it. But Splaine, though he 



180 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

felt like laughing with the rest, remained silent and enjoyed the 
joke of drinking to his own health. 



PLENTY OF WATER DOWN THERE. 

In the summer of 1863, the Seventeenth Regiment was ordered 
to Swift Creek to destroy or capture a force of Confederates that 
had full sway in that section. The command, under Lieut. Col. 
John F. Fellows, took steamer up the Neuse River to a landing 
about eight miles from that village. While going slowly up the 
river, the weather being too hot for comfort on deck, the officers 
gathered in the cabin, and passed the time pleasantly in telling 
stories. Among the stories told was one about a gentleman who 
had an unfortunate impediment in his speech, and who resorted to 
many expedients to hide or amend it. The story was a good one, 
and ehcited many expressions of sympathy from all who heard it. 

Among the hsteners to the story was Captain J. R. Symonds 
of Company K, who said that it reminded him of a story about the 
mate of a ship, who had an impediment of speech, which compelled 
him to say all he had to say by singing it. The captain was a good 
story-teller, and had a way of his own that was hard to imitate. 

The story was that a ship was approaching the coast of New 
England in foggy weather, and the captain being a very careful 
man, and desiring to make doubly sure of his whereabouts, ordered 
his mate to throw the lead. The mate was the one already men- 
tioned, who had the impediment, and as he hauled up the lead 
after his first sounding, sang out (to the air of the hymn "There 
will be no more sorrow there' ') ''There is plenty of water down 
here-r-r-ah!" At the next throw of the lead he sang: "Full fifty 
fathoms down here-r-r-ah!" At the third trial he warbled: "Oh, 
there are twenty-five fathoms down here-r-r-ah !' ' And once more 
he shouted: "Only ten fathoms down here-r-r-ah!" Again he 
shouted with all the power o his lungs, finding the water rapidly 
shoaling: "I would have you keep clear of here-r-r-ah!" And 
then the danger became so apparent to the mate that he forgot the 
impediment in his speech, and shouted, excitedly, "For heaven's 



AT THE FRONT. 181 

sake, Captain, put her about at once!" The shock occasioned by 
a full realization of the danger the ship was in, cured him of the 
impediment. 

The officers listened with unusual interest and attention to 
Captain Symonds' recital, which was made more realistic by the 
way in which he acted the part of throwing the lead by the mate. 

Just as he concluded his story the steamer came to a stop and 
anchored, the captain of the boat explaining that the water was too 
shoal to permit him to approach the landing-pier, and the troops 
could not land until the scows, which were being towed by another 
steamer, came up. After a short wait, the scows came up and 
landed the troops. Captain Symonds, with Company K, was 
among the last to reach the landing, and the captain, who could 
not swim, in attempting to get on the wharf, fell into the water. 
There was excitement among the officers and men, and efforts 
were made to save the captain by the men of his company. When 
the captain struck the water, he went down, and when he came up, 
there was ''Gurgle, gurgle, blub-blub-save me! Save me!" At 
the most there wasn't over seven or eight feet of water, and it was 
dollars to pennies that he would come out all right. 

When the captain came to the surface, he flung his arms around 
one of the wharf piles, and in this position uttered his appeal to be 
saved. Just as he spoke, one of the officers who heard his story 
on the steamboat, in a spirit of mischief, leaned out over the wharf 
and shouted: "Captain Symonds!" But the only response of 
the captain was: ''Save me! save me!" He called to the im- 
perilled man several times, who finally said: "Yes, yes; what is 
it?" And then the officer (whom we shall call Captain S.) sang 
in a loud voice to the tune employed by the mate) "Is there 
plenty of water down there-r-r-ah?' ' 

Captain Symonds was mad clean through, used many words 
not to be found in the Lord's Prayer, and threatened that when 
he reached terra firma he would bring the joker to a speedy and 
disastrous reckoning. 

The captain was rescued from his unpleasant position, and a 
few minutes afterwards took command of his company like a little 
man, up to Swift Creek, which was just ten miles distant. One of 



182 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

the captains in that regiment steered clear of another one for a 
few days, or until the anger of Symonds had subsided, and when 
they did meet, the jolly good old captain enjoyed the joke about as 
well as any of the others. It was related of Captain Symonds by 
his intimates that, though noted as a good story-teller, he never 
afterwards told the story of- — "Oh, there's plenty of water down 
there-r-r-ah!" 

WINTON OR MT. TABOR CHURCH. 

On July 24, 1863, the Seventeenth Massachusetts, under 
Lieut.-Col. John F. Fellows, went on board a transport and sailed 
from Newbern, and made a landing on the Chowan River, near 
Winton, two days afterwards. Here the Seventeenth was joined 
by several other regiments and a battery of artillery, all under 
command of General Heckman. Shortly after landing, the troops 
were pushed forward, with the Seventeenth in advance. After a 
march of about a mile, the expedition came upon a line of earth- 
works, behind which the army appeared to be in force. Company 
G, under Lieut. C. O. Fellows, formed the skirmish line here. The 
firing was pretty lively, the rebels defending their position stub- 
bornly, and a portion of the Seventeenth was moved up to support 
the skirmishers. Lieut-Col. Fellows formed from column into line 
and moved forward. Company B, under Captain Enoch F. Tomp- 
kins, got the advance and was first in the works. 

Lieutenant J. A. Moore, with ten men of Company B as skir- 
mishers now advanced on the double-quick, and when about seven- 
ty-five yards from the second line of works on the opposite side of 
the creek, the rebels fired a volley which went over the skirmishers 
and wounded three men in the regiment in the rear. Lieutenant 
Moore was the first man to cross on the stringers of the bridge — 
the enemy having thrown the planks into the stream — and the first 
into the works and through the rebel camp. The rebels retreated 
pell-mell. 

Several men of the Seventeenth were shghtly wounded. Cap- 
tain Splaine being wounded in the left arm. In crossing the dis- 
mantled bridge several of the men slipped off the stringers and got 



AT THE FRONT. 183 

a ducking in the creek. The rebels, in their haste, left their garri- 
son flag, which was flying when Lieutenant Moore's skirmishers 
went through the camp. The garrison flag, however, never be- 
came United States property, for the reason that a certain captain 
who was wifling to rest while others were chasing the enemy, took 
possession of it, secreted it, and finally sent it home to his family. 

General Heckman thanked Colonel Fellows and his command 
for their gallantry during the fighting of the day. 



THE CAPTAIN'S SHOWER BATH. 

During the hot clays of 1863, when the Seventeenth was sta- 
tioned on the south side of the Trent River, the officers and men 
found it pretty difficult to get a comfortable or clean wash or bath 
because the river was muddy, and was dangerous to bathe in, on 
account of the water-snakes, alligators and other undesirable 
things in it, one man having lost his life the previous year by a 
snake bite while bathing. But even with this experience, many of 
the men and some of the officers risked it, and would take a dip 
in the water sooner than go dirty, and to cool off in the hot days 
after a hard day's drill or march. 

Among the officers was one who did not go into the muddy 
waters of the river. He frequently lectured his fellow-officers be- 
cause they were not as wise as he was in providing a suitable equip- 
ment for taking a comfortable wash and shower bath without risk- 
ing the doubtful and dangerous aid of the river water. 

The other officers knew about the captain's hygienic outfit, 
but didn't think much about it, or regarded it as a fad of his. He 
was certainly cleanly in his habits and dress, and was fond of good 
things to eat. He would boast of these good things, and tell how 
fond he was of fresh "cukes' ' and sweet June butter. He certainly 
liked good eatables, but he enjoyed them alone, for he never asked 
a brother officer to dine or sup with him. He was fond of other 
things, not so palatable to others. He was cruel and tyrannical 
to the men of his company, and to those of other companies when 
they happened to be under his command. 



184 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, 

When enlisted men would forget to observe in the smallest de- 
tail some rule of military etiquette — rules sometimes unnecessary 
and often unwise — he was fond of making them march around in 
the hot sun, carrying a log of wood on their shoulders as punish- 
ment. As a military man he was not in it with many of the other 
officers. He was proud, selfish and overbearing, and never was a 
favorite with either officers or men, or even with a small minority 
of them. (When the surviving officers and men of the regiment 
read this anecdote, they will not have to be told the captain's 
name.) 

Well, once on a time three of the officers conspired to give that 
captain a shower bath that he was not prepared for, and they did 
it in good shape. The captain's apparatus was rigged in his bell 
tent. It was a wooden structure about eight feet high, upon which 
was supported a tin pan of about eight gallons capacity, with a 
perforated bottom, and just above it was a small wash-tub hung 
on a pivot. Attached to the top side of the tub was a strong cord, 
which when pulled by him , would empty the tub into the pan, the 
result being a cooling shower in the operation. 

One day when the captain was away from his tent, the con- 
spirators had the tub filled with river water, and meeting him when 
strolling about the parade ground, entered into conversation. 
One of them suggested that it was a good day to have a swim. The 
other said, "No; the sun is too hot, and I hate to go into that 
muddy river," The captain said, "I have been telling you folks 
for a long time how you could have a nice bath in your own camp 
at any time, and it doesn't cost much to do it." Another of the 
officers said, ''How do you do it? I never saw anything of the 
kind." Thereupon the captain said, "Come along and I will 
show you all about it," and remarked that he had had a splendid 
bath about two hours before. 

The four officers entered the tent where the outfit was, pro- 
ceeded to inspect it, and asked many questions about it, as to the 
cost of the rig and its operation. The captain readily answered 
the queries, explaining its simplicity of operation, and to illustrate 
the working of it, stood under the pan and said, "You stand right 
here, and after giving yourself a good rubbing with soap, you pull 



AT THE FRONT. 185 

this cord and the tub empties its contents into the pan, the shower 
then comes from there upon you, cleansing and coohng you at the 
same time." Suiting the action to the word, he pulled the cord, 
the tub discharged its contents, the pan did its work cheerfully, 
and the captain got a shower bath he had not bargained for. 

To say that he was surprised and thoroughly mad is putting 
it mildly. He was furious, and swore that if he knew who played 
that trick on him he wouldn't hesitate to kill him. His handsome 
uniform, it can be conceived, presented a sad appearance. He was 
compelled to take another bath, and send the uniform to a tailor 
in the city to be cleaned, dried and pressed. 

Just who the three conspiring officers were (they had prevailed 
upon their servants to fill the tub with river water, and mum was 
the word) deponent saith not; but one of them is alive and well at 
this writing, and tells the story with much gusto. 



HE DIDN'T BLAME THE CAPTAIN. 

During the early summer of 1863, the Union and Confederate 
forces stationed near and about Newbern and Kingston, N. C, 
respectively, were comparatively inactive. The weather was 
warm and because of the lull in activity, the inhabitants of the 
neutral zone had a season of rest. During this season of quiet the 
duties of the Union troops were mainly of the routine order, such 
as batallion drills, company drills, guard duty and dress parade. 

During this period of rest, the commanding officers of the 
regiment and other commands were indulgent to their men, 
permitting various kinds of amusement unknown to soldiers 
employed in more active campaigning. The enlisted men were 
given passes to almost anywhere within the lines of the Union 
army, but generally they all headed to Newbern, where they had a 
chance to do a little shopping and get lunch and refreshments of 
a better order than the sutler could furnish. They also availed 
themselves of the opportunity to visit- friends in other regiments 
and fraternize with new friends and acquaintances among them. 



186 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Among the men indulged with Hberal passes was John C-n-y 
of Company A, Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry. On the 
occasion in question John made his way from the camp of the 
Seventeenth Regiment, on the south side of the Trent River, to 
Newbern. He was a good fellow, an honorable man, and above 
all, a brave American soldier, with an intense love for his country. 
While in Newbern, he met many kindred spirits, as good and as 
loyal men as he was. They lunched and refreshed together, and 
discussed the war situation until their loyalty was at fever heat. 
They cared nothing for any country but the United States. They 
knew no flag but Old Glory. 

Well, the day was drawing to a close, and John, like his 
associates, started for camp, which he reached late in the after- 
noon. On his way to camp, he no doubt brooded over the senti- 
ments enunciated by himself and pleasant associates of the day, 
and the spirit of patriotism, etc., stirred him to the depths. In 
fact, John's American eagle soared high and, circling round in the 
blue air above the sordid earth, was ready to swoop down upon 
anything offensive to John's high notions of true and loyal Ameri- 
canism. (John, it may be said parenthetically, was of Irish parents, 
born in Boston and educated there, and was a fine specimen of a 
good, kind, generous and brave Irish-American boy — gentle to all, 
except when his patriotic Americanism was aroused, and then — but 
to our story.) 

As he entered the camp in this mood, John saw Mike Sullivan 
(an Irishman, a foreigner), another member of Company A, 
coming across the parade ground. In the mood he was then in, 
the sight of Mike aroused and intensified John's Americanism until 
all the Irishism in his nature was overwhelmed. It maddened him, 
and rushing at Mike in true Know-Nothing style, called him an 
"Irish son-of-a-gun." He struck at Mike and continued to call 
him that same funny name. His blows were numerous, hard 
and rapid, and had it not been that Mike was an athletic fellow 
and well able to parry the blows, he might have suffered. He 
did not take the offensive, being too busy defending himself. 

John's captain, Henry Splaine, was in his tent about 100 feet 
away from the curious encounter, and upon the first hostile move 



AT THE FRONT. 187 

on John's part was inclined to interfere, but upon hearing the 
language used by John, he sat back and laughed himself almost sick 
at the fun, though, of course, if the thing had gone too far, he 
would have put a stop to it. First Sergeant Joseph C. Richardson 
of Newburyport also witnessed the encounter. He rushed 
forward, separated the men, and sent John to his tent until further 
orders. A number of the men of the company also saw the en- 
counter, but made no talk about it. 

That evening at roll-call. Sergeant Richardson, in calling the 
names of the men, omitted that of C-n-y. The captain, looking 
at the Sergeant, remarked: "I observe that you skipped the name 
of C-n-y. Why did you do that?' ' 

The sergeant, who was not a tatler, approached the officer, 
and saluting him, said in a low tone: "When C-n-y came back 
from pass this afternoon he was somewhat irate and had a little 
difficulty with Mike Sullivan. Fearing they might become 
bad friends, I restrained John and ordered him to remain in his 
tent until further orders." The captain then inquired "Has he 
calmed down, and is he now fit for duty?' ' The sergeant replying 
in the affirmative, the captain ordered the man restored to duty. 

Thus matters stood for several days, when the truce which 
one would imagine had existed between the opposing armies was 
suddenly broken by the Johnnies, who became decidedly hostile 
and aggressive. They made a lively demonstration towards 
Batchelder's Creek, placing our troops there on the defensive, 
the commanders of the companies of the Seventeenth were sum- 
moned to Colonel Fellows' tent, informed of the situation and 
ordered to supply their men with three days' cooked rations and 
sixty rounds of ammunition, as the regiment would march early 
next morning for the scene of hostilities. 

An early start was made the next morning, the command 
reaching its destination early in the afternoon. Colonel Fellows' 
command was thrown forward with orders to do picket duty, and 
use every precaution to guard against surprise by the enemy. 
Captain Splaine was ordered to picket a certain section of the front 
line, and after carefully looking into the situation, detailed a 
certain number of the men for that duty, and ordered Sergeant 



188 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

J. Q. A.Johnson to post the men at points already explained by him. 
In about an hour's time, the sergeant returned and reported 
that he hadn't men enough to cover all the posts shown him. 
One post was still to be filled. "Is this a very important post, 
sergeant?' ' The sergeant said it was the most important post of 
the lot, adding that he must have an extra good man there, as with- 
out such a man the enemy might get through, turn our flank and 
endanger the whole regiment. 

The captain paused, looked along the line of the company, 
and said: "Well, sergeant, if this post is as important as you say, it 
behooves us to put the best man we have on that post." He 
added: "Sergeant, put none hut Americans on guard tonight. 
Put C-n-y there.' ' There was a dead silence for a moment, but 
the boys could not stand it any longer, and they snickered very 
perceptibly along the line. Sullivan never budged, but looked 
squarely to the front, yet one could see that his face took on a 
flush; but poor C-n-y, who became fully alive to the importance 
of the order, shouldered arms, marched two paces to the front, 
threw his left arm across his musket, giving the sergeant's salute, 
and said : 

" Captain, I don't blame you. " 

He went to that important post to do his duty as a true 
soldier, and right well he did it, as he always had done. 

The joke on C-n-y soon became common property, and often 
the boys were wont to say, when the occasion seemed to warrant 
it: "Put none but Americans on guard tonight." This saying 
survived while the company was in service, and often since at 
company or regimental reunions, when the men indulged in anec- 
dotes about their service in the army, the story of John C-n-y 
and Mike Sullivan was sure to be told, always ending with "Put 
none but Americans on guard tonight.' ' 

John, at this writing, is alive and well, and is a good and 
respected citizen, as he deserves to be. Some three months ago 
of this year (1909) John called at the State House in Boston to see 
his old captain, now Colonel Splaine, and told the story himself, 
as above related, and no one present enjoyed the anecdote more 
than John, himself. Some of John's old comrades asked Colonel 



AT THE FRONT, 189 

Splaine recently why or how John could have spoken to poor 
Mike as he did on that occasion. The colonel smiled and said 
"I guess John must have been attacked by that new malady called 
'dementia Americana.' " 



CAPTAIN MAC AND THE LAUGHING MULE. 

In the fall of 1863, the Seventeenth Regiment was snugly 
housed in barracks on the south side of the Trent River, near 
Newbern, N. C. The principal duty of the regiment was company 
and battalion drills and dress parade. Detachments were sta- 
tioned at Evans' Mills, Beech Grove Station and Brice's Ferry. 
The company drills were conducted on the open plain beyond, 
and in full view of the camp and Colonel Fellows' headquarters. 
These drills were interesting, because the men had become as 
proficient in drill and discipline as regulars, and their officers 
knew their business to a T. The battalion drills during the after- 
noons were sights worth seeing. Colonel Fellows commanded at 
all these drills, he being the active commander nearly all of the 
time, as Colonel Amory was almost invariably detached as brigade 
commander, and at times performing even higher duties. 

These drills under Colonel Fellows would put any regular 
army ofl&cers to the blush. Fellows, the superb drill-master, 
would put the regiment through a course of evolutions that would 
thrill the beholder. There he was, that handsome, elegant gentle- 
man, every inch a soldier, his great stentorian, yet musical voice, 
ringing out, to be easily heard a mile away, giving orders that none 
but skilled veterans could obey, for it required a knowledge of 
tactics and drill on the part of the men, as well as the officers, to 
obey such intricate orders as he gave. It would be "Double 
column at half distance — march !' ' Form square, double quick- — 
March!" "Reduce square — march!" "Right companies, right 
into line, wheel!" "Left companies, on the right into line, 
battalion guide right, double quick- — march!" "To form oblique 
square; guides on the line; column at half distance, by division, 
on third division, right in front, double quick — march" "Right 
and left wheel, double quick — march! Guides post, fix bayonets!' ' 



190 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

These movements are only a sample of what was ordered by 
this fine drill master, and as promptly and exactly executed by 
the officers and men of the battalions. The best official function 
of the day was dress parade. On these occasions every man, from 
the colonel to the drummer boy, looked his best. What a hand- 
some line those boys would form. Their accoutrements shone 
brightly ; their arms glistened in the sun ; their poise was admirable, 
their soldierly bearing superb; not a waver nor a motion, while the 
music played from right to left and from left to right again, as the 
line stood at parade rest. The adjutant would command: "At- 
tention, battalion! Present arms!" salutes his colonel, retires to 
the rear of the commanding officer, and then Colonel Fellows would 
resume command, ordering "Shoulder arms!" and such other 
orders as he deemed fit, his musical voice vibrating in the silent 
air. The orders of the day and other instructions were then read 
by the adjutant, and then the companies were dismissed for the 
day. 

The active duties of the day disposed of, the officers were 
wont to gather in small groups to enjoy themselves as circum- 
stances would permit, and if the evening happened to be cool they 
would naturally seek the society of one another in their quarters. 
But as time wore on, the quarters of the more popular officers 
became the resort of the greater number. One of the most popular 
was Lieutenant Charles 0. Fellows — tall, handsome, brave, 
dashing, hospitable, entertaining — a worthy son of his gallant 
father. Colonel Fellows. If any officer failed to be properly 
entertained in Lieutenant Fellows' quarters it was surely his own 
fault. 

It was in these quarters, when they came together, that the 
officers rallied one another about mistakes made at drill, dress 
parade, or performing some other duty equally important. The 
gatherings here were more instructive than the printed tactics, 
because the officers had an opportunity to compare notes, and the 
less efficient ones gained points from the more efficient. 

As a "school of the officers," the quarters of Charley Fellows, 
as he was familarly known, was a useful institution for the dis- 
cussion often entered into by the officers had a most beneficial 



AT THE FRONT. 191 

effect on the less efficient among them. When they grew tired of 
discussing tactics, some of them would tell stories or guy one another 
or criticise any defect of toilet. It was no place to be ungentle- 
manly, to tell foolish anecdotes or other pointless stories, and yet 
it was one of the most hospitable places to be found in the army. 
Many an entertaining story was told there. Wit and sometimes 
sarcasm reigned. Some of the stories told were about strong men, 
boxers, runners or jumpers, many of the feats related being almost 
incredible. It remained for Captain McNamara, however, to 
cap the climax. 

The story he told once on a time was so unreasonable, so 
evidently false, that all present told that he was making it out of 
whole cloth. They guyed him, said he was crazy, and that none 
but a fool would tell such a story. In their criticism of the captain, 
they became so loud and boisterous that the attention of the officer 
of the day. Captain Splaine, was attracted to the tumult. He said, 
^'Come, gentlemen, there is too much noise here. Kindly speak 
low. You know it's against camp regulations to make so much 
noise at this hour.' ' 

Captain Tompkins, familiarly known as ''Old Tomp," said 

"H , Splaine, how can we help it? If you had heard it, you 

would be more severe on Mac than any one of us. Why, Splaine, 
the damned lie he told would make a mule laugh.' ' 

At this, Captain McNamara very excitedly said, "I will 
leave it to Splaine if I am not telling the truth, and I'll bet he has 
seen the same thing himself.' ' 

Splaine said he had not heard the story, and therefore couldn't 
give an opinion upon a thing he didn't know anything about. 
Thereupon Mac told the following story : 

"When I lived in the old country, there resided near me a 
great jumper. He had outjumped every competitor, had outrun 
every runner he contested, and no one knew how far he could 
jump. Finally, the people became so interested in the man's 
power as a jumper, they determined to put him to the severest 
test, and for this purpose made up a long purse for him, if he would 
give a public exhibition of his great jumping capacity. Side bets 
were made, the man himself taking many of them. He wagered 



192 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

that he could jump across a river which, at the point named, was 
a quarter of a mile wide. I saw him jump that river," said 
Captain Mac. And again the officers howled at him. 

"I don't care," said Mac, "it's true, and I know that Splaine 
will say it is true." 

It was well known that Captain Splaine was the chosen and 
tried friend of Captain Mac on all occasions, and now Mac thought 
and hoped he would give a decision favorable to him and save him 
from the ridicule of his fellow officers. Captain Tompkins here, 
broke in saying that, while he was willing to leave it to Splaine 
he would first ask Mac a few questions. 

"All right," said Mac. "How wide was the river?" "A 
quarter of a mile.' ' "Have you got the cheek to ask us to believe 
that a man jumped across a river a quarter of a mile wide?' ' 

Mac's answer was: "Why couldn't he and why shouldn't he? 
Sure, he had a mile of a run to it. It's the last feather that breaks 
the camel's back." 

And now the laughter and uproar was almost beyond control. 
When the noise of the outburst had subsided, Captain Splaine was 
called upon to render his decision. Mac looked at him imploringly 
for a judgment favorable to him. The crowd cried, " Fair play, 
Splaine; we want your decision!" Poor Splaine was in a trying 
position. He felt greatly embarrassed, but couldn't endorse so 
palpable a lie. At the same time he didn't wish to hurt the feelings 
of his friend. 

While pausing, embarrassed at his peculiar position something 
happened which enabled him to attempt a compromise, and to 
avoid the painful task of deciding that Captain Mac had been 
lying. This ' ' something' ' was a noise from without, which sounded 
like: "Hee-a haw-a, haw-a, hee-a, hawa-a." 

That noise was loud enough to be heard all over the camp, 
and Captain Mac and his associates heard it very plainly. Here 
was Splaine's opportunity to avoid giving a positive opinion; but 
whenhechd speak, he made things much worse for Mac. Looking 
at the latter, he said, "So help me jiminy Johnson, Captain Mac, 
even the headquarters mule is laughing at you.' ' 



AT THE FRONT. 193 

McNamara was wild. The officers were beside themselves 
with glee at the strange turn things had taken, and stamped 
Mac as the biggest Munchausen in camp. 

The noise made on this occasion, however, was too much for 
the forbearance generally shown by Colonel Fellows, who came 
along, asked what the uproar was about, and suggested that it 
was about time for the officers to retire for the night. Then looking 
into his son's quarters, he said, "Lieutenant Fellows, report at 
headquarters at once.' ' 

The majority of the officers, seeing the lieutenant go to head- 
quarters, and fearing that the colonel was about to scold him, 
loitered around in the darkness to learn something about it. 
Their fears were soon dispelled, for the laughing at headquarters 
became so boisterous that the officer of the day began to think it 
was about time to enforce regulations there also. 

It appears that when Charley reached headquarters, the 
colonel sternly asked him what all that noise in his quarters meant. 
Charley related the incidents connected with Mac's story, and the 
part the colonel's mule had played in it, on hearing which Colonel 
Fellows and his staff could not contain themselves, and gave full 
vent to their merriment, and laughed most heartily about Mac 
and the Mule. 

Next morning. Captain Splaine, as old officer of the day, 
called at the colonel's headquarters to make his report about his 
duties of the night before, and turn over his instructions to the 
new officer of the day. Colonel Fellows inquired of the captain 
about the fun of the night before. The captain told the whole 
story as related, and there was fresh laughter and more merriment. 
The whole party went out to see the mule, and being joined by 
other line officers, proceeded to inspect it. 

Captain Splaine paid particular attention to the animal, 
fondling and patting him, but taking good care to keep away from 
his heels, as he was known to be a great kicker. ''Fine mule," said 
the captain, "fine mule, bless him, for he has a devil of a fine laugh 
in him." 

Captain McNamara never heard the last of the mule story, 
and if at any time he inclined to swerve from the truth in his 



194 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

relations, some one would remind him to be careful lest the mule 
might hear him. 

ESCORTING THE COLORS. 

During the late summer and fall of 1863, the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts was stationed in Newbern, N. C, doing provost 
duty in that city. A dress parade of the whole regiment each 
evening finished the duties of the command for the day. And such 
parades ! About 800 men attired in their best, their brasses bright, 
their belts and boxes polished, their shoes shined, their gloves 
snow white, their muskets shining like silver, were in line on 
those occasions. 

At the time in question, Colonel Amory was in personal 
command of the regiment, and did his best to make the parades 
as spectacular and, attractive as possible. These parades were usu- 
ally witnessed by generals and other officers who were not actively 
employed at the time. Leading citizens and prominent persons 
from the northern states also attended to witness these parades. 
To the civilians they were most attractive and made them wonder 
how it was possible that a body of men could do so many things in 
unison and so gracefully and so mechanically, at the command 
of a single officer. 

A variation in the performance came at one of these parades 
one evening, when Adjutant Cheever, after it was over, approached 
one of the captains and said "Captain S., Colonel Amory orders you 
and your company to escort the colors to headquarters.' ' 

"Escort the colors to headquarters!" exclaimed the captain, 
who knew that this ceremony had never been carried out in that 
department before, and perhaps had never been attempted in 
the volunteer army. "Yes, sir," said the adjutant, who saluted 
and walked away. 

Why was this unusual order given? The answer is that, 
shortly before, a few officers had remarked that Captain S., was 
so well posted that he could not make a tactical mistake on 
battalion drill, and that he could not be feased on any matter 
relating to tactics. 



AT THE FRONT. 195 

On the evening before giving the unusual order in question, 
the same statement was made at the supper of the field and staff 
at Colonel Amory's headquarters, upon leaving which the colonel 
said: "I will puzzle him before tomorrow night." When asked 
how he could do it, he declined to explain. Hence the order on 
the following day to escort the colors to headquarters. 

When the captain received the strange order, though he had 
made no special study of that most interesting movement, he 
prepared to carry it out as if it were only a common company drill. 
He made proper disposition of his company, received the colors 
and guard in due form, and started his column, having to make 
various wheels and movements in the course of his march, so that 
he could arrive at headquarters "right in front." The towering 
Colonel Amory, with mischief in his eyes, watched the company's 
progress and with quick long strides he reached headquarters 
before the company did, and took position on the front steps lead- 
ing up to the door of the headquarters building. 

The company soon after arrived, halted and wheeled left into 
line, presented arms, etc., when Lieutenant P. C. Mason placed 
the colors in the outstretched hand of Colonel Amory. 

The colonel then said: ''Captain, I have seen the escorting 
of the colors done only twice in my life — once in the regular army — 
and on that occasion the movement was not properly executed. I 
have seen it today for the second time, and the movement has been 
properly carried out." 

He then congratulated the captain, the lieutenant and the 
men on their success and soldierly bearing, and said: Captain, 
let Lieutenant Mason march the company to quarters, and you, 
sir, will dine at headquarters tonight." 

The modest captain reluctantly accepted the invitation. He 
found a good dinner, and spent a most enjoyable evening at head- 
quarters. Colonel Amory admitted the joke of trying to puzzle 
the captain, and again congratulated him and his company on 
their clever performance of a difficult undertaking. 

Hurrah for the volunteers! 



CHAPTER VII. 



In the City on Provost Guard — Batchelder's Creek by 
Colonel Splaine — A Civic Hero in the Muddy Trenches 
— Siege of Washington, N. C, With Signal Guns — 
Second Direct Attack on Newbern — Colonel Amory 
and the Daughter of the Regiment — A Moonlight Drill 
Capture and Fate of a Confederate Spy — Muster Out 
of the Old Seventeenth Regiment and Birth of the 
New Organization. 

The regiment, having been back in Newbern since October 1, 
1863, and again comfortably housed, while doing provost guard 
duty. Colonel Amory in command of the regiment, everything 
went merry as a marriage bell until February 1, 1864, when the 
most serious disaster which had befallen the regiment came. 

The men had been doing their prettiest and behaving their 
best, and had gone through enjoying their third Christmas in the 
army, little dreaming what the morrow might bring forth. In a 
little more than a month they found out. 



THE BATCHELDER'S CREEK AFFAIR and THREATENED 
ATTACK ON NEWBERN. 



By Colonel Henry Splaine. 

About one o'clock of the morning of February 1, 1864, a dis- 
tant rumbling, like thunder, was heard by the guards and others in 
and about Newbern. Many good sleepers, soldiers among them, 
[196] 



AT THE FRONT. 197 

knew nothing about the cause of that noise until the following 
morning. 

The Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry was then doing 
provost guard in the city and its immediate suburbs, the right wing 
being quartered in houses in the city proper and the left wing in 
tents a short distance in the rear of Fort Totten. 

At the hour above named, Colonel Fellows received an order 
from General Palmer, commanding the forces and defences of New- 
bern to send such officers and men of the left wing of his regiment 
stationed at Fort Totten as were not actually on guard duty, to Bat- 
chelder's Creek, to re-enforce Colonel Classon, and to send a com- 
petent officer to command the detachment. Colonel Fellows, in 
obedience to General Palmer's orders, directed a certain officer, who 
had been promoted only a few days before and whose new grade 
just fitted him for the task in hand, — as there were only 110 en- 
listed men hurriedly called together for the emergency — to take 
command of. The newly promoted officer hesitated and said that he 
did not have a horse to ride, whereupon Colonel Fellows directed 
his quartermaster to prepare a certain horse for the officer at once; 
but to this offer the officer demurred, saying that he did not know 
anything about the horse, and therefore was afraid to ride him. 
Colonel Fellows, who was now so disgusted at the manner in which 
the officer was trying to evade the responsibility of taking the de- 
tachment to the point of danger, said to his adjutant (Cheever): 
''Go at once, with my compliments, to General Palmer, and say 
that I have already taken command of the detachment myself, and 
have started on the march. After that, you, adjutant, join me 
as soon as you can.' ' 

Colonel Fellows, the brave and dashing officer, in his anxiety 
to obey the order of the general, sprang into the saddle, without 
even waiting for his sword, which was being passed to him by one 
of the attendents, saying, "I haven't time — I have my belt and 
pistol, but can't wait for the sword!' ' 

He would not wait for anything, so anxious was he to reach 
the point of danger as quickly as possible, to assist his comrades in 
defending Colonel Classon's position, the holding of which was so 
important to the safety of the city itself. The march was a hurried 



198 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

one, the little band under Colonel Fellows reaching the point of 
conflict long before daybreak. 

The rumbling which had been heard about one o'clock contin- 
ued, until it dawned upon all in the city that the noise was the 
thundering of Confederate artillery. And now could be heard the 
clattering of horse's feet everywhere on the streets, the riders of 
which, whether they were aids or orderlies, were bearing the news 
of the conflict at the outpost — or with orders to commanding 
officers to hold their troops in readiness for any contingency. 
During the early morning, rumors of the disaster to our forces at 
the outpost were freely circulated, but no one wanted to believe 
them. Later on, however, these rumors were confirmed, when 
Colonel Classon, with his command on platform cars, steamed 
into Newbern. But where was Colonel Fellows and his detach- 
ment of the Seventeenth? There was no news from them, and 
all were wondering what had become of them. 

It appears that when Colonel Fellows and his command re- 
ported to Classon they were immediately put into action, and 
right well did they acquit themselves; but at a critical moment 
they were neglected, deceived and deserted by Colonel Classon, 
who hurried his men on to the steam-cars, and retreated to New- 
bern, leaving Colonel Fellows and his handful of men to their fate. 
After maintaining the conflict against thousands of the enemy 
for a time, finding his little band was literally surrounded by the 
Confederates and knowing that it would be futile to attempt to 
escape as an organized body. Colonel Fellows ordered his men to 
save themselves. The best military men in Newbern said that 
the colonel had acted wisely. A heavy fog prevailed that morning, 
and this, together with the smoke of the conflict, enabled quite a 
number of the officers and men to escape through the woods. Lieu- 
tenant Cann, with his platoon almost intact, escaped through the 
bushes, and found themselves in the deserted camp of Colonel 
Classon. The garrison flag was flying, but was saved by Lieuten- 
ant Cann and his men, who also destroyed all the tents and military 
stores there, by burning them ; and as the lieutenant and his men 
were going out from one side of the camp, the Confederates were 
coming in at the other side. 



AT THE FRONT. 199 

Eight officers, including Colonel Fellows, and sixty-two en- 
listed men, were captured by the Confederates. A few men were 
killed and several wounded. Dr. I. F. Galloupe, who was well 
mounted, might have escaped, but he refused to leave Adjutant 
Cheever, who was wounded. He remained with him and rendered 
all the surgical aid he could, and while doing so, was captured, to- 
gether with his patient. Of the sixty-two enlisted men of the Seven- 
teenth who were captured that morning, only four ever returned to 
freedom, the other fifty-eight having died in Andersonville prison 
of starvation. 

When the extent of the disaster became known to General 
Palmer, it was hurry, skurry — hustle, bustle — aids and orderlies 
riding hke mad in all directions. Telegraph wires were hot with 
messages to all outlying posts, and all men, no matter where sta- 
tioned, were ordered to concentrate at Newbern. The right wing 
of the Seventeenth Massachusetts, housed in the city proper and 
doing provost duty, was at once sent to the line of works flanking 
Fort Totten and the provost duty was performed by the clerks and 
other civil employees of the government. 

By early afternoon every available man was in position in the 
defences of the city, and as the commands from the outlying dis- 
tricts reported for duty, they were assigned to positions in the 
works, or kept as reserves at a convenient distance behind those 
already in the works. As night approached, a strong line of 
skirmishers was thrown out in front of the works, and extended 
from the Neuse River to the Trent River. The writer remembers 
well that his company was placed as skirmishers across the Neuse 
road, and extending to the main gate of Fort Totten. The assis- 
tant adjutant-general of the district placed these guards, and the 
instructions given to the writer were that there was no organized 
body of Union troops outside the lines then, but there doubtless 
were a few scattered bands or individuals after the fight of the 
morning. ''These latter," he said "you will admit, of course; 
but if any large body of organized troops approaches, you may 
rest assured it is the enemy, and it will be your duty to fire upon it.' ' 
My men were in line when these orders were given me; but after 
the departure of the assistant adjutant-general, I said to my men: 



200 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

"Take your orders from me, and upon your lives do not fire until 
I order you to." 

The night wore on, and just at one o'clock A. M., of February 
2d, a noise in front of the pickets stirred every one up. There was 
a clanging of sabres, clattering of hoofs and the low-toned words 
of command by officers as the command neared the skirmishers. 
Realizing that the approaching body was an organized command, 
and perhaps a large one, I called to my men: "Steady there! 
I will do the challenging !' ' Whereupon I ran forward and shouted : 
"Halt! Who goes there?" The answer came: "Twelfth New 
York Cavalry." — "Who commands you?" "Colonel Savage." — 
"Is Colonel Savage present?"— "Yes."— "Then tell him to dis- 
mount and advance alone to be recognized.' ' 

Colonel Savage met me in the middle of a muddy pool, having 
a length and width of about 300 fe^t, a depth of about three feet. 
Here we met, shook hands — as I recognized him and gave him 
permission to pass with his command inside the works, and added: 

"For G sake, colonel, march your men in through this gate. 

It will be dangerous for you and your command to go in any other 
direction, for the guards are all ordered to fire at any organized 
body of men coming from without." Notwithstanding the re- 
quest and words of caution from me, Colonel Savage headed 
his column in another direction, supposedly to avoid the mud 
puddle. My lieutenant. Mason, was in command at the other 
gate, and had he not been thoroughly instructed by me as to how 
he should receive organized bodies from without, firing would 
have been the result. Lieutenant Phil C. Mason knew what his 
orders meant and knew how to obey them. 

If that fine regiment of cavalry had been fired upon by my 
pickets, all the batteries of Fort Totten would have been opened, 
and the firing would have extended along the infantry line for half 
a mile on either flank of the fort, and Colonel Savage and his com- 
mand would have been wiped off the face of the earth. What was 
true of my part of the line was true of all parts, for the instructions 
were substantially the same to all commanders. It will be seen 
what a calamity was averted by the intelligence of a few line 



AT THE FRONT. 201 

officers who knew what to do at a correct time — who knew more 
than some of their superiors about the art of war. 

Feehng ran high in Newbern among the troops, — especially 
so when they discovered that the enemy was in force and com- 
manded by the doughty warrior, General Pickett, who had led 
the memorable rebel charge at Gettysburg. Some even thought 
that the city would fall, but all were determined to make a stub- 
born fight. 

The most sensational thing of all happened on the third night 
of the Confederate investment, when our war steamer "Under- 
writer' ' was blown up by Captain Howard and his men of the Con- 
federate navy, who came down the Neuse River in boats, with 
muffled oars, and boarded the ship at one o'clock in the morning, 
and after robbing her of everything they wanted, blew the ship and 
some of her crew to fragments. The spectacle was awful and awe- 
inspiring. At this terrible sight, and the thunderous noise ac- 
companying it, all sprang to arms, not knowing what would 
happen next. 

Later in the night, the Confederate bands struck up some lively 
military airs, which called forth a musical response from the band 
stationed in Fort Totten. Tired, weary and sleeping in the muddy 
trench, I was awakened by Lieutenant Phil Mason, who called 
my attention to the music. I listened for a moment, and then said, 
"The enemy is retreating. Their music is only throwing dust in 
our eyes to cover their retrogade movements." When broad 
daylight came, it was discovered that the enemy had departed. 



A CIVIC HERO IN THE MUDDY TRENCHES OF 
NEWBERN. 

Following the disaster at Batchelder's Creek on February 1, 
1864, and the investment of Newbern by General Pickett's Con- 
federate forces, the feeling was intense among soldiers and civilians, 
many believing that the city was doomed to fall into the hands 
of the enemy; but the best efforts of both commanders and sub- 



202 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

ordinates were put forth to make the best possible resistance. 
As a consequence, every man who was well enough to stand up was 
brought to the defence of the city. 

These efforts were not confined to the officers and enhsted 
men of the army. The patriotic citizens doing business there and 
the civilian employees of the government also became imbued with 
the spirit of resistance, and determined to assist the troops in 
every possible way in their power. Notable among the young 
men among the government employees was one who had made 
every effort, but without success, to become an officer or a soldier 
in the Union army, and his failure to be one or the other was 
through no fault of his. He had graduated from Harvard College 
shortly after the war broke out, and at once tried to enlist as a 
private soldier, but was rejected on the ground that he was not 
strong physically. Failing in this, he made another attempt 
and through the good offices of influential friends, was promised a 
position on the staff of a general officer, but after waiting a con- 
siderable time, and receiving no encouragment that the promised 
position would be given him, he made up his mind to go to the 
front on the civil list among government employees. He did so, 
and found himself doing the duty of chief clerk in the commissary 
department at Newbern, N. C. 

On the occasion of the investment of that city by General 
Pickett, this young man organized a company of civil employees, 
had them uniformed, armed and otherwise equipped for field 
service, and marched them up to and into the trenches near Fort 
Totten. By this patriotic action, both he and his associates 
took their lives in their hands, so to speak, for had the city fallen 
and the enemy discovered they were not regularly enlisted men 
they were liable to be shot. No one knew better than the young 
civilian captain the risk they were running, but they cast their 
lot with the Union troops, come weal or woe, and took the respon- 
sibility. 

They occupied a position on the right of Captain Splaine's 
company of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers. The 
veterans could not help admiring the gallant bearing of this young 
civilian captain and his men. They were all young, intelligent 



AT THE FRONT. 203 

boys, and presented a neat, soldierly appearance, and the captain 
elicited favorable comment from the army officers for the way in 
which he handled his company. Many of the soldiers remarked : 
what fools these fellows were to leave their comfortable quarters 
down town to come out and sleep in the muddy trenches; but they 
came and roughed it with the enlisted men for three days and 
nights, and held themselves ready to fight to a finish. 

On the night of the third day, they, as well as the soldiers 
witnessed a spectacle which they must have long remembered. 
It was the blowing up of the Union gunboat "Underwriter." 
This was accomplished by Captain Howard and men of the Con- 
federate navy, who came down the Neuse River in boats, boarded 
the gun boat quietly, captured the guards without firing a shot, 
took from the ship what they wanted and blew up the vessel, 
sending her crew into eternity. The scene was awe-inspiring and 
still lingers in the memories of the survivors of the siege of Newbern. 

After Pickett's forces had retired from in front of Newbern, 
the civilians returned to their quarters and regular employment, 
after receiving the thanks of General Palmer and many other 
officers who had witnessed the heroism shown by the young 
captain and his men in the hour of peril. Captain Splaine and 
others remarked at the time that it was a pity that the young man 
commanding that company wasn't a commissioned officer in the 
army. If he were, the army would have had a brave and dashing 
officer, who would have reflected honor and credit on his country, 
his State, and himself. This young man, it may be stated, was 
Frederick T. Greenhalge, afterwards the efficient and popular 
governor of Massachusetts, whose untimely death prevented him 
from succeeding himself in that high office. 



DAVID WALLACE. 



Three Confederate Soldiers Surrender to Him. 

On the morning of February 1, 1864, after the disaster to a 
detachment of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment at Batch- 



204 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

elder's Creek, David Wallace, like many others of the command, 
sought refuge in the forest, hoping sooner or later to reach the 
Union lines. During that day and the following night, he struggled 
in vain to find succor, and although he frequently heard human 
voices and the rumbling sound of artillery wheels, he did not dare 
to venture out, fearing that he would march into the arms of the 
enemy. 

On the morning of February 2d, he was so tired, cold and 
hungry that he made up his mind to seek shelter and food at any 
cost. Soon he saw smoke "that so gracefully curled" through 
the evergreens, and being very cold, determined to approach the 
fire. He found a camp fire, and near it a booth made of boughs, 
and within the booth the trappings of soldiers. He took a seat 
on a log near the fire and awaited developments. In a short time 
three Confederate soldiers, evidently the proprietors of the booth, 
appeared. 

David did not stir, believing that the jig was up, but to his 
surprise the enemy seemed more embarassed than himself. They, 
believing that David represented a considerable Union force, 
became alarmed, advanced and surrendered to David. Soon 
realizing the advantage thrust upon him, David put on some 
frills, accepted the surrender, and marched the three to Newbern, 
as prisoners of war. 

General Palmer warmly thanked David for his discreet and 
gallant conduct. 

SIGNAL GUNS. 



Siege of Washington, N. C, and Evacuation of the Town. 

On April 14, 1864, six companies of the Seventeenth Regi- 
ment, then stationed in Newbern, were ordered to board trans- 
ports for Little Washington, to re-enforce the troops there under 
command of General Harland. The singular thing about this 
movement was the fact that although the major part of the 
regiment, carrying the regimental colors with them, the command- 
ing officer at that time saw fit to remain at his comfortable quarters 



AT THE FRONT. 205 

in Newbern, and sent Captain J. R, Symonds of Company K, 
in command. The regiment was unused to such tactics. Colonel 
Amory was acting brigadier-general, and Colonel Fellows was a 
prisoner of war at the time. It seemed that the man who had 
succeeded to the command of the regiment thought more of his 
personal safety than about its welfare or reputation. The officers 
and men of the six companies were not displeased at this change 
of commanders. They didn't love or respect the one who re- 
mained in Newbern, but they did know Captain Symonds, and 
trusted him. They knew he was brave and patriotic, painstaking 
and honest, and never failed to look after the comfort of his men. 

The regiment, with other commands, reached Washington 
late that night, but did not land until next morning. On landing 
they were assigned to positions along the line of defensive works, 
the companies, with the exception of those of Captain Splaine and 
Smith, being separated, these companies being stationed on the 
extreme right, occupying Fort Mclver. Captain Symonds made 
headquarters near the latter companies, and kept himself in 
constant touch with the other four. 

The officers and men now settled down to duty, observed their 
surroundings, and prepared to do their part in the defence of the. 
town, the chief duty being to watch and be ready at all times 
Not more than half the men were allowed to sleep at one time, the 
other half remained awake and under arms, ready for any emer- 
gency. They were confronted by a superior force under General 
Hoke, who was known to be an able and aggressive commander, 
and that he and his army were then flushed with their recent capture 
of Plymouth, N. C, with many prisoners and a large quantity of 
supplies. Hoke's army had Washington completely invested, 
and it seemed only a question of time as to when the assault would 
begin 

Things went on in this way for several days, when General 
Harland made up his mind that he would find out whether Hoke 
was in force or not and for this purpose detailed about forty 
skirmishers from the Seventeenth Massachusetts to make a 
reconnoisance along the enemy's center. 



206 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS BEGIMENT. 

The skirmishers were placed in command of Capt. George W. 
Graham, a cavalry officer, who knew nothing about infantry- 
skirmishing, though Captains Splaine and Smith and Lieutenant 
Fellows offered their services to command them. General 
Harland thanked these officers, but remarked that he would 
not make any change then. The men, knowing their business, 
deployed mostly on their own hook, and went forward against the 
enemy. When they reached a growth of timber they found Hoke's 
skirmishers, and an active fusillade ensued. Hoke's men had 
witnessed the approach of our men across an open area of about 
a third of a mile, and had ample time to meet them. 

One of the incidents worth noting, which was plainly visible 
to officers and men in the works, was the encounter between 
Crofts of Company C, Seventeenth Massachusetts, and a rebel 
skirmisher. Each, as he saw the other, jumped behind a stump. 
Both dodged and ducked for a while, but finding that such strategy 
didn't count, both levelled their rifles across the stumps and 
fired. The rebel was the better marksman, and poor Crofts 
rolled over a corpse, with a bullet in his brain. They fired simul- 
taneously. Keefe, of Company H, Seventeenth, was also killed, 
and a few others slightly wounded. Graham did not await the 
''recall" on the bugle, but ordered the men to fall back, and on 
reaching the works, assured General Harland that Hoke's army was 
outside in full force, and evidently intent on mischief. The 
bodies of Crofts and Keefe were recovered and buried in the yard 
of a house in the town which can be located even at this late day 
by Captains Splaine, Smith, Fellows, or Sillars. 

For several days after the skirmish, the orders were to watch 
and wait, with equipments on and arms at hand, ready for any 
emergency. A feeling of gloom pervaded the ranks of the defend- 
ers, for it became more and more evident from day to day, that 
the town was doomed. The only means of retreat was by water, 
and the question with the commanding officers was, had Hoke 
the force at command to prevent the escape of the besieged 
Union force on transports? The crisis came nearer and nearer, 
for Hoke's lines were being drawn closer, and it seemed a 
question of only a few hours when the assault would be made. 



AT THE FRONT. 207 

Finally, on April 22, General Harland called the commanders of 
regiments, batteries, etc., together, and told them to quietly make 
preparations to evacuate the town, but not to advertise it among 
the troops or inhabitants. On that evening, Captain Splaine 
commanding at Fort Mclver, received orders to fire, at 10 p. m., 
that night, three guns— a single gun first, and then, after a lapse 
of two minutes, two guns in quick succession. Then he was to 
disable the guns. When the captain read his orders, he knew 
what they meant. It was a signal to General Foster, at Newbern, 
seventy miles distant, that General Harland had decided to evacu- 
ate Little Washington. The three shots fired by Captain Splaine 
were not blank cartridges, but shell from two big 64-pounders. 
They were fired into General Hoke's camp, where they exploded, 
causing considerable trouble and excitement, the rebel general, 
supposing that the Yanks were about to assume the offensive. 
The noise waked up the garrison and caused them to spring to 
arms, thinking that some unexpected move on the part of the 
enemy had been discovered. 

After the firing, Splaine, pursuant to orders, spiked the guns, 
and threw them with their carriages, down from the parapet into 
the ditch, a distance of thirty feet. They were so spiked and 
thoroughly put out of commission that "no sound could awake 
them to glory again.' ' 

Colonel Splaine says that the destruction of those fine guns, 
after their discharge, was among the most painful duties he ever 
had to perform. 

The evacuation began next morning, and as the Union troops 
were in motion towards the transports, the Confederate cavalry 
and infantry were at the heads of the streets and inside our line 
of works. There was no firing, the Union troops being willing 
to get out of the town and the Confederates desirous that they 
should. All the members held to arms on the transports, and a 
few small gunboats were in readiness to protect and cover embarka- 
tion. Finally, the transports steamed down the river, with the 
gunboats in the rear. Very few army stores or supplies fell into 
the enemy's hands, and it may be added. Little Washington itself 
did not long remain in the possession of the captors. It was again 



208 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

occupied soon after by the Union troops, Hoke finding it im- 
practicable to hold the place. 



MAY 5, 1864. 
SECOND DIRECT ATTACK ON NEWBERN BY 
CONFEDERATES. 



Colonel Amory Developing the Enemy's Position. 

On May 5, 1864, General Hoke, commanding a considerable 
Confederate army, made an unexpected attack on our small force 
at Evans Mills, sweeping everything before him, and pushed on 
towards Newbern, with the evident intention of capturing the 
city and its defenders. At the same time, a detachment of his 
command moved against Brice's Ferry, for the purpose of prevent- 
ing any attempt by the Union forces to interfere with his lines 
of communication and supply, and also to keep open his only 
road of retreat in case he failed in capturing the city. 

Still another detachment of Hoke's army made a demonstration 
against Batchelder's Creek, which was about ten miles out on the 
Neuse Road, for the purpose of confusing the Union general as to 
his real intentions. It did not take long to divine the meaning of 
these movements, and accordingly prompt and intelligent dis- 
position of the various commands in and around Newbern was 
made, to meet the attack of General Hoke. 

On the south side of the Trent River, in addition to the 
Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry, a detachment of which 
held Brice's Ferry, there was Fort Gaston, commanding the 
county bridge and the open plain eastward from the Trent River; 
and there was Fort Spinola on the banks of the Neuse River 
commanding the river, the long bridge and also a portion of the 
plain already referred to. 

These two forts were well manned and well supplied with 
artillery and ammunition, and no doubt would have made them- 



AT THE FRONT. 209 

selves felt in case Hoke's command had come to close quarters. 
Between these forts the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry- 
held a line of earthworks, which, although not the strongest, 
yet would have sheltered the men fairly well if the enemy had seen 
fit to advance across the plain. 

At this juncture, at about 10 a. m., Colonel Amory, then 
commanding our brigade, came rushing over the county bridge, 
having with him a section of field artillery and a small cavalry 
escort. He, with his small command, dashed across the plain, 
which was about 1,200 yards from the bridge, and there opened on 
Hoke's command for the sole purpose of drawing the enemy's 
fire, by which he could readily understand the whereabouts of 
Hoke and the make-up of the Confederate forces. 

The position of Colonel Amory, near the edge of the woods, 
blazing away at the enemy, looked so isolated and dangerous, that 
the writer of this sketch, then a captain in the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts, said to the major commanding the regiment: 
"Why wouldn't you order my company over there to protect 
our colonel. The enemy may burst from those woods any moment 
and either kill or capture the little party." The answer of the 
major was that he had no order to do so, and therefore would not 
take the responsibilty. The captain then said, ''If I take the 
responsiblity, will you let me go?" To which the major answered, 
''No, sir." 

General Hoke was too skillful a commander to respond to 
Amory's invitation to expose his whereabouts just then, and after 
shelling the woods for about an hour. Colonel Amory and party 
withdrew, but not until after a monitor car had been sent down 
the railroad track, supported by Captain Mullally and his company, 
who skirmished continuously on and into the woods. No enemy 
appearing, the company was recalled. On the following day. 
General Hoke sent, under a flag of truce, a demand for the sur- 
render of the city, and giving a short respite for the removal of 
the women and children. 

The Confederate major who commanded the flag party, and 
after Hoke's letter had been forwarded to General Palmer, talked 
pleasantly to the officers and men composing our outpost, and 



210 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

remarked, as he could see the Gaston House from where he sat 
on his horse: "We will have supper in the Gaston House tonight." 
To this remark, Warren Haines of Company F, ever ready with 
his cutting wit, asked the major: "Have it hot or cold, Major?" 
The surrender was refused, and some time before the next morning, 
Hoke's army had been suddenly recalled by his government, and 
sent where he was of more importance than capturing Newbern. 



BIRTH OF THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT. 

Colonel Splaine thinks that it is worth relating here that, 
during the very time that the gallant Colonel Amory was endeavor- 
ing to draw the fire from Hoke's position, and almost unnecessarily 
exposing himself in the service of his country, something of great 
and interesting importance was taking place at his residence across 
the Trent River, in the Governor Stanley House, where his wife 
and children resided. The something referred to was the birth 
to the wife of the colonel of a beautiful baby girl. Mrs. Amory, 
in her suffering moments, heard the booming of artillery, and ask- 
ing the attending physicians and others what the noise meant, was 
told that it was practice day for the artillery, but the trained ear 
of the noble wife, who had campaigned so much with her gallant 
husband, could not be deceived, whereupon she exclaimed, "Those 
are shotted guns, and I fear the enemy is attacking our position." 

The first intimation that Colonel Amory had of the happy 
situation was when he with his section of artillery and cavalry 
escort were near the county bridge. Returning from his artillery 
challenge to Hoke, he met one of his staff officers coming at full 
gallop to appraise him of the event at home. It is needless to say 
that Colonel Amory hurried his horse, to congratulate his wife 
and others there, and also to hail his new daughter, Laura Carolina 
Amory, the future daughter of his own regiment. 

The presence of Colonel Amory at his home, and his assurance 
that there was no danger to the city or her family, helped Mrs. 
Amory to recover rapidly and they were visited and congratulated 



AT THE FRONT. 211 

by all the officers of rank, and by many prominent ladies from 
the North who were making short visits to their husbands or friends. 

A few weeks afterwards, several officers of the Seventeenth 
visited the home of Colonel Amory to pay their respects to Mrs. 
Amory and to welcome the daughter of the regiment to membership 
in the command. There are a few officers of the regiment still 
alive at the writing of this sketch, who saw the baby girl before 
she was able to see them. 

It was a season of joy and triumph for the Amory family, 
Laura receiving more attention than any one else, while her 
heroic father was being complimented by every one for his spirited 
attack on Hoke's army at the critical moment when Laura was 
born. But among all who congratulated and complimented 
the family, there was no one prophetically wise enough to see in 
the very near future how much sickness, death and sorrow awaited 
the Amory family. 

Soon after the incidents above related. Colonel Amory was 
ordered to Beaufort to take command of that sub-district of 
North Carolina, his family going there to reside with him. 

On July 17, 1864, Colonel Amory's regiment, the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts was mustered out after a service of three years, 
the veterans of the command being organized as a veteran battalion 
and Colonel Amory still retaining the colonelcy. The reorganized 
regiment a few weeks afterwards was sent to Newport Barracks, 
or Shepardsvihe, a section of the colonel's sub-district of Beaufort. 

During the latter part of September, the veterans were per- 
mitted to go home on forty days' furlough, and while in the North 
the members learned with profound sorrow of the death of their 
beloved commander, his wife and her mother, all having died at 
Beaufort on the seventh day of October, 1864. 

That terrible scourge, the yellow fever, broke out in Newbern, 
and soon spread to outlying districts. The scourge reached 
Beaufort and carried off the adult members of the Amory family, 
leaving the four helpless children in the hands of strangers. For- 
tunately there were two brothers of Colonel Amory in the Second 
Heavy Artillery stationed at Newbern, Major William A. and 
Lieutenant Robert G., who, with the prompt and active assistanc 



212 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

of Colonel Jones Frankle, commanding their regiment, the Amory 
children were soon properly cared for, the three elder being sent 
to their grandparents in Jamaica Plain, Mass., while Laura, the 
baby, then only five months old, was sent to her aunt then residing 
in New York. 

In a short time, Laura, in charge of a faithful and intelligent 
colored nurse, both accompanied by a commissioned officer, 
the latter armed wth letters of introduction, reached the home 
of the baby's aunt in New York. The door bell was rung, but a 
servant looking out of a window and observing the colored woman 
bearing in her arms a baby, called the aunt, saying "Here is a 
colored woman with another baby." It appears that on the day 
before Laura's arrival, a foundling had been found on the door- 
steps, and the aunt fearing that a repetition of what happened 
the day before was about to be enacted, promptly ordered the 
party away ; but as the party turned to go, it was noticed that the 
nurse and baby had a companion, in the person of the commis- 
sioned officer, who was holding in his hand some letters. 

Upon seeing this the aunt called the party back, read the 
letters, cordially welcomed the visitors, and at once proceeded 
to make her baby niece comfortable and happy. Within a year 
the little girl was claimed and taken home by her paternal grand- 
parents to Jamaica Plain, Mass., where she was re-united with 
her older brothers and sister. 

At the age of six she was adopted by her uncle. Major Charles 
B. Amory, of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, and 
with his family was taken to New Orleans, where the major resided 
during twenty years, engaged as a cotton merchant. Laura grew to 
be a handsome girl, and became highly educated and accomplished. 
She became a reigning belle among the four hundred of that 
southern city. In the course of time she married Thomas C. 
Dugan, a rich sugar merchant of that city. He died some ten years 
afterwards, when Mrs. Dugan became a resident, alternately, of 
New York, New Jersey, Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park and Wellesley. 
She has travelled extensively through the European countries, 
but of late has spent much of her time in looking after the educa- 
tion of her brother's children. 



AT THE FRONT. 213 

In 1899, she was induced to attend a reunion of the veteran 
soldiers of her father's regiment at Haverhill, Mass., where she was 
adopted as the Daughter of the Regiment. She has attended a 
few gatherings since, and is always a welcome guest. When she 
writes or speaks about the veterans of the Seventeenth, she calls 
them her soldiers. She never spoke a truer word, for they are to a 
man ready to die for her protection. She is not only the Daughter 
of the Regiment, but also among those warriors she reigns as their 
queen, and the queen of her father's own regiment, the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts Volunteers. 

The writer has just learned that during the spring of 1911, 
the Daughter of the Regiment had become the beloved wife of 
Hon. Amory Appleton Lawrence of Boston. 



A MOONLIGHT DRILL. 

In the latter part of June, 1864, the Seventeenth Massachusetts 
Regiment was tenting on the south side of the Trent River, near 
Newbern, N. C. The officer in command was Major Luther Day, 
Colonel Fellows then being a prisoner of war, and Colonel Amory 
in command of a brigade. At the time the event to be narrated 
took place. Captain Splaine was officer of the day, and having 
completed his rounds among his guards was sauntering towards 
his tent, noting as he went, what a beautiful night it was. The 
hour was midnight. The moon shone resplendently, and the stars 
seemed to sparkle with unusual brilliancy. As the captain 
wonderingly gazed upon the brilhant spectacle, and thought what 
it implied — a universe of grand and glowing orbs, no doubt the 
abodes of life and enjoyment— he said to himself, "Astronomy 
must be a fascinating and improving study. If I live through this 
war, I will obtain some standard works on that science, and try 
to understand something of its revelations.' ' 

At this moment he was rudely awakened to things terrestrial 
by a voice, which said, "Look here, Splaine, I want to talk with 
you. You have the name of being a good drill-master, and now 



214 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

that we are alone, no one else to see or hear us, I want you to give 
me a good drilling in the manual of arms. It is something I am 
woefully deficient in and I am ashamed of myself for it.' ' 

It was, indeed, a great come-down for Splaine, to be dragged 
from the contemplation of the heavenly bodies to a moonlight 
drill in the manual of arms. The voice that shattered his abstract 
musings came from a fellow-officer of the Seventeenth, whom we 
shall call Captain Squad. At a glance Captain Splaine saw that 
his brother officer had been making the rounds of the officers' 
quarters, and having finished up a pleaseant evening among 
hospitable friends, was in a mood to enter into any diversion, 
even a drill in the manual of arms. 

It was well known that Splaine was not devoid of humor, 
and was fond of mischief, but not to injure anyone. He was always 
ready to help a friend, and willing to take the worst end of a 
joke rather than offend a brother officer, even when the latter was 
at his mercy. 

In reply to Squad's request, he said: "Well, captain, if you 
get a musket, I'll do the best I can for you.' ' 

Captain Squad went to the tent and soon returned with the 
desired "vs^eapon. Assuring himself that it was not loaded, Splaine 
chose a position with his back to the moon, making his pupil face 
the moonlight. The position assigned to Squad was in front of a 
stunted pine tree about twelve feet high, but quite bulky. Splaine 
addressed his pupil as he would a squad of men on drill. He began : 

"Squad, take the position of a soldier under arms. Squad, 
shoulder arms! Present arms! Now, extend the fingers of your 
right hand downward a little! There, all right! Steady now! 
Squad, shoulder arms! Squad, order arms! Shoulder arms! Squad, 
support arms ! Squad, shoulder arms ! To fire by platoon, squad, 
ready, aim, fire ! Recover arms ! Shoulder arms ! 

Here the squad interrupted by asking some fool questions, 
but the drill master soon suppressed him by saying : 

"No back talk sir; no impertinence, sir! Even if you are my 
superior officer, you must obey my orders while I am instructing 
you. Steady, squad, about face !' ' 



AT THE FRONT. 215 

This movement was not well executed, the squad making 
complaint that the sand where he was standing was soft and loose. 
Splaine said, "Never mind the sand on the ground. I want 
sand in the man. Steady, about face! Order arms! That's 
no way to do it! Do it with a snap. Shoulder arms! Squad, 
charge bayonets! Squad, shoulder arms! Squad, order arms!" 

At this stage of the drill a voice from behind the pine tree said, 
in a loud and authoritative tone: "That is the durndest looking 
squad I ever saw!" It was the voice of Major Day, and was 
unwelcome, as it spoiled the fun. It ended the drill, and besides 
depriving Splaine of a good deal of enjoyment, it ended Captain 
Squad's ambition. He felt humiliated and became angry, not 
with himself or Major Day, but with Splaine, who neglected rest 
and comfort to gratify his desire. Squad was so beside himself 
with rage that he threw the musket at Splaine and called him, 
among other things the evil genius of the regiment. Splaine 
dodged the musket, and Squad retired to his tent, muttering 
curses as he went. 

Major Day then wanted to Imow why Splaine called his 
friend "Squad." Splaine said he couldn't call him battalion, 
company or platoon because he was none of these things, and he 
couldn't call him recruit, for he wasn't a recruit, so he had called 
him "squad" in the absence of any other title, and added that he 
wouldn't have made much of a mistake if he had called him 
" awkward squad.' ' 

It wasn't more than two days before every officer in the regi- 
ment knew the story of the famous moonhght drill and the cir- 
cumstances attending it, and it was not a rare thing to hear some 
of them singing- — 

" I'm a raw recruit from a country town,' ' etc. 

Captain Squad heard it, but never noticed it. He was game 
and took his medicine like a little man. 



^16 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

CAPTURE AND FATE OF A REBEL SPY. 



By Wm. H. Eaton, Company B. 

During the early summer of 1864, Company B, Captain 
Tompkins, was on outpost duty at Evans Mills, an important 
strategical position some six miles south of Newbern, and west of 
the railway running from the latter city to Morhead City. At 
that time the rebels were active in that section, threatening to 
cut off the Union forces in Newbern from communication by rail 
with the sea, the design evidently being to "bottle them up" in 
the Newbern district. 

To guard against this, our forces in this section of the district 
were required to be particularly vigilant, especially in that section 
where the Evans Mills were located, and where a blockhouse had 
been established, and other works of a defensive character con- 
structed. At this post also was stationed a company of the Second 
Carolina Mounted Infantry in command of Captain Graham. 

One day the outer vidette brought in word to the picket at 
the inner bridge that a suspicious person had been seen lurking 
around for two hours or more; that the vidette had given chase to 
him, and that he had escaped in a swamp. This intelligence being 
quickly conveyed to headquarters (in the old Evans House) 
the company was at once ordered out and proceeded to the place 
where the fugitive had disappeared. This was a pond rather than 
a swamp, with water from Icnee high to waist deep. In about the 
center of this pond was a large hillock covered with coarse cane 
grass, about twelve feet high above the water surface. The 
company was deployed from the road on both sides of the hillock, 
and the men were ordered by Captain Tompkins to cross over 
to deep water and search the hillock thoroughly. This was done, 
but no one was found there. 

Two members of the company, William H. Eaton (who was 
acting headquarter 's clerk) and George Pitman, Jr., continued the 
search, the latter saying, " Billy, you go to the right, and I will go 
to the left, and make all the noise you can in the water." This 
suggestion was made at the rear of the hillock, and both started 



AT THE FRONT, 217 

again to go around it on opposite sides. As the two men came 
around and turned to meet each other, a strange thing happened. 
A man Hfted his head above the water and stood up. As quick as 
a flash the soldiers grabbed him, Eaton by the right shoulder and 
Pitman by the left, and took him and his belongings onto the road. 
They marched him to headquarters where he was searched. 
In his pocket was found a waterproof tin can, in which, on oiled 
silk, were complete drawings of the camp and fortifications of 
Evans Mills, finely executed. He had with him a six-shooter 
carbine. 

The prisoner, who did not reveal his name, was carried to 
Newbern, tried by courtmartial, convicted as a spy and shot. 



MUSTER OUT OF THE OLD SEVENTEENTH. 

About the first day of July, 1864, Major Day, then command- 
ing the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry, was notified that 
orders were soon to be promulgated for the muster-out of the 
regiment, and that it would be well to begin preparations for that 
event. There was also at the same time a confidential letter 
from General Palmer, commanding the district of North Caro- 
lina, to every commissioned officer of the regiment, asking each 
to state whether he would like to remain in the service instead 
of going home with his regiment. What the answers were, no 
one except the officers themselves. General Palmer and his assistant 
adjutant-general, ever knew. 

The object of these inquries was to enable the general to 
select from among those signifying their desire to remain in the 
service, a sufficient number of suitable and efficient officers to take 
charge of the veteran volunteers who had re-enlisted in the field, 
and some recruits whose term of enlistment would run on for 
from about four months to two years. 

The officers did not hear from General Palmer in answer to 
their confidential replies until the 15th of the month, and it may 
be assumed that while some of them may have been disappointed, 



218 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

others had received even more consideration than they had ex- 
pected from the general. 

The preparations for the muster-out went on from day to day, 
until about every detail was finished, except to receive and read 
the official orders and muster-out rolls — requiring arduous and 
patient work to prepare. Government property no longer needed 
was invoiced to the quartermaster; officers final account, including 
arms, camp and garrison equipage, clothing, ammunition and other 
stores, had to be figured up, acted upon, and final returns made 
to the authorities in ^ Washington, without whose receipt and a 
statement that the accounts were correct, and that the officer was 
not indebted to the government, the said officer could not receive 
his final pay. 

Things went along in this way for two weeks, some of the 
officers and men elated at the prospect of getting home, while 
some of the officers were somewhat gloomy, not knowing what the 
outcome of their letters to General Palmer would be. 

At last, on July 14th, the first order was received, and the 
second and final order was received on July 15th. Here they are: 

Headquarters. 
Special Orders, District of North Carolina, 

No. 80. New Berne, N. C, July 14, 1864. 

extract. 

I. All enlisted men of the 17th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf'y, 
now on detach service, will report in person to Major L. DAY, 
commanding, regiment, at the camp, before twelve o'clock, M., 
tomorrow, the 15th inst. This is Imperative, and the officers now 
in charge of these men will be held strictly accountable for the 
prompt and complete execution of this order. Major DAY will 
report to these Head-Quarters any and every instance of failure in 
these men to so report. When they do arrive they ivill remain 
in camp with their companies. 

By command of Brig. Gen'l I. N. Palmer: 

J. A. JUDSON, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



at the front. 219 

Headquarters. 
Special Orders, District of North Carolina, 

No. 81. NewBerne, N. C, July 15, 1864. 

EXTRACT. 

III. The term of service of a portion of the 17th Regiment 
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry having expired, the following 
orders in execution of the provisions of Circular No. 35, current 
series from War Department, Adjutant General's Office, are pub- 
lished for the information and guidance of all concerned. 

The re-enlisted men (veterans) and all recruits (drafted and 
volunteer), who have joined the regiment since the date of its 
original muster-in, except those men enlisted under the authority 
of the Honorable Secretary of War given to the Governor of the 
State of Massachusetts by telegram dated Washington, D. C, 
July 21st, 1862, and published in General Orders, No. 28, series 
of 1862, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; all those men who 
enlisted prior to the date of the orders referred to, and WHO 
RECEIVED NO BOUNTY; and to those men who enlisted in 
the regiment in the State of Massachusetts after its muster-in 
and prior to its leaving for the seat of war, will be formed into 
three companies of the legal maximum standard. The remainder 
of this same class not sufficient to form a full company will at 
the same time be organized as a company. The men who com- 
pose this last will be selected from those who have the least 
time of the whole to serve. These companies (new organization), 
will be designated ''A,' ' "B,' ' ''C,' ' and '^D,' ' and will be officered 
by the following named officers : 

Col. Thos. I. C. Amory, 

Capt. Henry Splaine, 

Capt. Wm. W. Smith, 

Capt. John E. Mullally, 

1st Lieut. Thos. F. Newton, 

1st Lieut. James Splaine, 

2d Lieut. Joseph A. Moore, 

2d Lieut. Lewis Cann, 

Assistant Surgeon G. W. Clarke. 



220 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, 

The small company ("D") will be officered by one of the 
above mentioned 1st Lieutenants only. 

The companies will be organized in the following manner to 
facilitate future musters-out : 

Company "A" will be composed entirely of veterans. Com- 
pany "B" will be composed of the remaining veterans, and a 
sufficient number of men (to complete the maximum organization 
— not veterans) who have the longest time to serve. Company 
"C" will be composed of the next class of men whose terms of 
service next expires. Company "D" will be composed of the 
remainder. 

The officers will be assigned according to present rank — 
the senior officers to the company longest to serve. 

In the expectation that the regiment will be filled up, it will 
retain its own designation, the 17th Massachusetts Volunteers, 
and the regimental colors will be retained by Colonel Amory. 

All Quartermaster's property. Clothing, Camp and Garrison 
Equipages now in the hands of the Company Commanders and 
not necessary for the new company will be immediately turned 
over to the present Regimental Quartermaster, who is hereby 
directed to receive the same as of such condition as he may see 
fit to determine. He will then turn in this, and all other Quarter- 
master's property for which he is responsible to the proper officer 
of the Quartermaster's Department at New Berne, N. C, retaining, 
however sufficient to provide for the comfort of the regiment on 
the voyage to the place of enrollment. 

The necessary Ordnance and Ordnance stores, to provide 
for the new organization, will be transferred to the new Com- 
mandants of Companies by the officers now responsible for them 
to be received as of such condition as the receiving officers may see 
fit. 

The remainder of the public property in the hands of the 
regiment will be taken to the place of enrollment, and there trans- 
ferred to the proper officers. 

These arrangements concluded, the remainder of the regi- 
ment, under the direction of the Senior Officer to be mustered 
out, will then proceed to the place of enrollment (via Fort Monroe, 



AT THE FRONT. 221 

Va.,) there to be mustered out and paid off in accordance with the 
Mustering Regulations of the Army. 

The Quartermaster's Department will furnish transportation. 
" Fort Spinola' ' Wharf will be the place of embarkation. 

IV. The Commanding General takes this occasion to ex- 
press his regret at the loss of the 17th Massachusetts Volunteers. 
The officers and men have served faithfully, and they have fairly 
earned the glad welcome they will surely receive in the Old Bay 
State. 

To the veterans of the regiment he also wishes to express his 
regret that he is not able, at this time, to permit them to go home 
wdth their comrades ; but he hopes soon to be able to grant them 
the furlough so long deferred. 

By command of Brig. Gen'l I. N. Palmer : 

J. A. JUDSON, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

Upon receipt of the final order (dated July 15, 1864, above 
given) and the officers having about completed their returns and 
other accounts with the government, and also knowing as to 
whether they were going home or were to remain in the service, 
there was much consultation among them as to present conditions 
and future prospects. It was the breaking up of comrade associa- 
tion, which, as the time approached, caused much mutual friendly 
regret. Some were pleased to go home, others would have been 
willing to remain if chosen, while those who had been chosen to re- 
main were proud of the honor conferred on them ; but whether going 
home, remaining, or willing to remain, a gloom pervaded the 
whole camp. 

Officers and men who had been together during three years of 
honorable service were now about to separate — some for a short 
time, some for a longer period, and some perhaps forever. They 
had shared in the pleasures and social life of the camp when relaxa- 
tion was possible and permissable; they had shared in the hard- 
ships of the march, the bivouac and the battle; they had suffered 
hunger, thirst and other privations ; they were loyal and brave to- 
gether,and had been at all times ready to peril their lives,separately 



222 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

or together for the preservation of the Union and the honor and 
glory of their country's flag. 

On Saturday, July 16, 1864, it being the day after receiving 
the final order for muster-out, the old regiment broke camp and 
marched from the south side of the Trent River to Fort Spinola 
on the Neuse, where they boarded the steamers ''New Jersey" 
and "Parthenion" for Fortress Monroe, on their way home to the 
place of enrollment for final muster-out and pay. 

As the old regiment was breaking camp on that July day, it 
was a moving spectacle to see the officers and men who were going 
home and those who were to remain in the service, mingle, speak a 
few words, shake hands and say good bye. 

Colonel Amory was not present to bid farewell to the officers 
and men of his regiment. If he were he would have been proud 
to thank his command for the honorable and efficient services which 
they had rendered their country, and he would wish them godspeed 
to their and his own state of Massachusetts. He was then on duty 
as commander of the sub-district of Beaufort, and could not be 
present. 

Colonel Fellows was not there to take home the regiment of 
his pride, or to wish the members a fond farewell. Colonel Fel- 
lows, at this time, with seven of his officers and sixty-two of his 
men, were languishing in Confederate prisons, as a result of having 
been neglected, and even deserted, by other commands in the 
battle of Batchelder's Creek on February 1, 1864. Some of the 
officers returned physical wrecks, while of the sixty-two enlisted 
men, fifty-eight were starved to death in Andersonville prison. 

Had Colonels Amory and Fellows been present they no doubt 
would have told the officers and men of the regiment that they had 
1 eft their state in honor, had served their term of enlistment in the 
field with honor and that now they would have taken them home 
in honor, without a single blot or stain on the character of officers 
or men, that no act of theirs had sullied the reputation of their 
splendid regiment or dimmed the lustre of a single star on the im- 
perishable Flag they carried. 

The regiment was under command of Major Luther Day, who 
marched it to Fort Spinola for embarkation for Fortress Monroe 



AT THE FRONT. 223 

and Massachusetts. As the regiment took up their march, Captain 
Splaine, who was to remain in command of the veteran battahon, 
shouted to the officers and men who were about to become his 
subordinates : " Every mother's son of you — officers, men, guards, 
cooks and all — go to Fort Spinola, see your old comrades off, and 
cheer them as they go. Lieutenant Moore and I will keep camp 
until you return. I shall expect you all back at a reasonable 
hour!" 

Thus ended the service in the field of the gallant old Seventeenth 
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. 




Richard Portill 
Albert J. Cook. 



A.vDRKW P. Lewis 



Benjamin' P. Rogers. 
S.A.MUEL J. Ford. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Birth of The New Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers 
—Captain Henry Splaine Assumes Command — Command 
Transferred to Newport Barracks — Captain Splaine 
in Command of Post — Altercation with Captain Graham 
— General Palmer Fears Attack along the Whole Line 
— Some Recruits Arrive — Chase of Nickerson, the Rebel 
Scout — Capture of Sergeant PerkinS' — More of Cap- 
tain Graham — Capture of Captain George Bell of Con- 
federate Army— Ordered Home on Veteran Furlough 
— Yellow Fever Breaks out — Death of Colonel Amory 
— ^ViEw OF Newbern after Furlough — Trading Day at 
Outposts — Regiment to be Filled up — Unlawful Keep- 
ing OF Recruits in Second Heavy Artillery — Arrival 
OF LiEUT.-CoL. Fellows, Commissioned as Colonel — 
Captain Graham again — General Grant and the Sen- 
try — Many Recruits from Second Heavy Artillery — 
Failure of Colonel Fellows to Muster — Eight Full 
Companies Organized — Leaving Newport Barracks for 
THE Field. 

(An officer of the Old and New Seventeenth Regiment con- 
tributes the following in regard to the formation of the new regi- 
ment) : 

On July 17, 1864, the Seventeenth Regiment Massachusetts 
Volunteer Infantry, having taken its departure from the seat of 
war, after a service of three years, for the purpose of final pay and 
muster-out of the United States, Captain Henry Splaine (officially) 
assumed command of the veterans who had re-enlisted in the 
field, and some recruits who had enlisted for two or three years. 

[225] 



226 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

The companies were organized in accordance with the provisions, of 
Special Order No. 81 from Headquarters, District of North Carohna, 
dated Newbern, North Carohna, July 15, 1864, Brigadier-General 
I. N. Palmer commanding. 

Headquarters. 
District of North Carolina, 
Special Orders. New Berne, N. C, July 15th, 1864. 

Extract. 

III. The term of service of a portion of the 17th Regiment 
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry having expired, the following 
orders in execution of the provisions of Circular No. 36, current 
series from War Department, Adjutant General's Ofhce are pub- 
lished for the information and guidance of all concerned. 

The re-enlisted men (veterans) and all recruits (drafted and 
volunteer) who have joined the regiment since the date of its 
original muster-in, except those men enlisted under the authority 
of the Honorable Secretary of War given to the Governor of the 
State of Massachusetts by telegram, dated Washington, D. C, 
July 21st, 1862, and published in General Orders No. 28, series of 
1862, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; all those men who enlisted 
prior to the date of the orders referred to, AND WHO RECEIVED 
NO BOUNTY; and to those men who enlisted in the regiment 
of the State of Massachusetts after its muster-in and prior to its 
leaving for the seat of war, will be formed into three companies of 
the legal maximum standard. The remainder of this same class 
not sufficient to form a full company will at the same time be 
organized as a company. The men who compose this last will be 
selected from those who have the least time of the whole to serve. 
These companies (new organization) will be designated ''A," 
"B,' ' " C,' ' and " D' ', and will be officered by the following-named 
officers : 

Col. Thomas I. C. Amory, 1st Lieut. Thomas F. Newton, 

Capt. Henry Splaine, 1st Lieut. James Splaine, 

Capt. William W. Smith, 2d Lieut. Joseph A. Moore, 

Capt. John E. Mullally, 2d Lieut. Lewis Cann, 

Asst. Surgeon, G. W. Clarke. 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 



227 



The small company (" D' ')will be officered by one of the above 
mentioned 1st Lieutenants only. 

The companies will be organized in the following manner to 
facilitate future musters-out : 

Company ''A" will be composed entirely of veterans. Com- 
pany "B" will be composed of the remaining veterans, and a 
sufficient number of men (to complete the maximum organization — 
not veterans) who have the longest time to serve. Company '' C ' 
will be composed of the next class of men whose terms of service 
next expire. Company " D" will be composed of the remainder. 

The officers will be assigned according to present rank — the 
senior officers to the companies longest to serve. In the expecta- 
tion that the regiment will be filled up, it will retain its own designa- 
tion, — the 17th Massachusetts Volunteers, — and the regimental 
colors will be retained by Colonel Amory. 

All Quartermaster's property, Clothing, Camp and Garrison 
Equipage now in the hands of the Company Commanders and not 
necessary for the new companies will be immediately turned over 
to the present Regimental Quartermaster, who is hereby directed 
to receive the same as of such condition as he shall see fit' to deter- 
mine. He will then turn in this, and all other Quartermaster's 
property for which he is responsible to the proper officer of the 
Quartermaster's Department at New Berne, N. C, retaining, how- 
ever, sufficient to provide for the comfort of the regiment on the 
voyage to the place of enrollment. 

The necessary Ordnance and Ordnance stores, to provide for 
the new organization, will be transferred to the new commandants 
of Companies by the officers now responsible for them to be re- 
ceived as of such condition as the receiving officers may see fit. 

The remainder of the public property in the hands of the regi- 
ment will be taken to the place of enrollment, and there transferred 
to the proper officers. 

These arrangements concluded, the remainder of the regiment, 
under the direction of the senior officer to be mustered out, will 
then proceed to the place of enrollment (via, Fort Monroe, Va.), 
there to be mustered out and paid off, in accordance with the 
Mustering Regulations of the Army. 



228 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

The Quartermaster's Department will furnish transportation. 
"Fort Spinola' ' Wharf will be the place of embarkation. 

IV. The Commanding General takes this occasion to ex- 
press his regret at the loss of the 17th Massachusetts Volunteers. 
The officers and men have served faithfully, and they have fairly 
earned the glad welcome they will surely receive in the Old Bay 
State. 

To the veterans of the regiment he also wishes to express his 
regret that he is not able, at this time, to permit them to go home 
with their comrades; but he hopes soon to be able to grant them 
the furlough so long deferred. 

By command of Brig. Gen'l I. N. Palmer: 

J. A. JUDSON, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

In obedience to the provisions of the foregoing order, Captain 
Henry Splaine, the senior officer present, assumed command of the 
veterans and other enlisted men remaining in service after the 
muster-out of the three-years' regiment, organized them into com- 
panies and assigned the officer in the following order: 

COMPANY "A." 

Captain Henry Splaine, 
1st Lieut. James Splaine, 
2d Lieut. Joseph A. Moore. 

COMPANY ''B." 

Captain William W. Smith, 
1st Lieut. Thomas F. Newton, 
2d Lieut. Lewis Cann. 

COMPANY "C." 

Captain John E. Mullaly, 
2d Lieut. Malcolm Sillars. 

COMPANY "D." 

2d Lieut. Lewis Cann. 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 229 

2d Lieut. Joseph A. Moore was detailed as acting adjutant 
and acting quartermaster of the battahon. 

In assigning the men to the different companies, the first 
official act of Captain Splaine was to assign Charles S. Bolton 
(of Company H, old regiment) to Company A of the new command, 
in justice to Bolton, who had been deprived of the right to serve 
in Company A, notwithstanding that the law and regulations under 
which he had re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer gave him that right. 
At the time of his re-enlistment, he and many others (too many, in 
fact) in other companies had chosen to serve in that company, 
but there was not room for them, and as a result they were re- 
manded to their own companies. Bolton alone persisted, as his 
right, to serve in the company of his choice, and although he never 
refused duty in his own company, he made it hot for some of his 
superior officers because they had not done him justice. The 
matter became so warm that it was referred to the general com- 
manding the district, and by him to General B. F. Butler, then in 
command of the department. The result of this agitation was that 
Bolton was held to duty in his own company, and deprived of his 
veteran furlough of forty days in his state. 

The new command now settled down to business. The camp 
was remodeled and greatly reduced in size. Guard duty and com- 
pany drills became the order of the day. The closest attention 
was paid to the comfort of the men; their uniforms and equipments 
were thoroughly cared for, and it is safe to say that in a few days 
they were fit for any service required of them. 

The command, however, was destined to stay in this camp 
only a few days, for on July 26, 1864, in compliance with orders 
from District Headquarters, the battalion broke camp and pro- 
ceeded to Newport Barracks, in the town of Shepardsville, some 
twenty-six miles below Newbern, on the line of the railroad to 
Beaufort, where it relieved the Ninth Vermont Regiment, Colonel 
Ripley, — the Ninth proceeding the same day by rail to Newbern. 
The battalion of the Seventeenth Massachusetts reached Newport 
Barracks so late that evening that the officers and men had very 
little opportunity to look around and see where they were at until 
the next day. 



230 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, 

Upon assuming command at Newport Barracks, on July 27th, 
Captain Splaine found himself at the head of his own battalion, 
two companies of New York Cavalry — Captains Cummings and 
Span — one company of the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery 
— Captain N. P. Fuller; and last, but not least, a company of the 
Second North Carolina Union Volunteers, commanded by the 
notorious Capt. G. W. Graham — making in all a command of about 
700 men for Captain Splaine to look after. Graham's company 
was composed of loyal North Carolinans, commonly called ''Buffa- 
loes." The regiment to which this company belonged was infan- 
try, but they were mounted and performed the duty of cavalry. 
They were a brave and daring set of men. 

The order from General Palmer, under which Captain Splaine 
and his command went to Newport, instructed the captain to oc- 
cupy the quarters vacated by the Ninth Vermont, the latter in turn 
to occupy the quarters vacated by the Seventeenth near Newbern. 
The Ninth Vermont had been stationed at Newport Barracks for 
some time, and had constructed some comfortable little huts, which 
afforded them good shelter during the winter months. 

During Captain Splaine's first day's duty at his new post, his 
attention was called to some excitement among the soldiers near 
the quarters of the men of his battalion. On reaching the scene 
of the disturbance, he found that Captain Graham's men had re- 
moved many of the huts of the Ninth Vermont from the company 
streets, leaving them in a very irregular and dilapidated condition. 
They had stolen the houses while the Ninth Vermont were vaca- 
ting their camp, and before Captain Splaine's men had reached it. 
When the captain reached the scene of disturbance, he found his 
men demanding the restoration of the stolen property, and Gra- 
ham's men, backed by their captain, determined not to give it up. 
Captain Splaine asked Graham what the trouble was. The latter 
said his men had taken the houses from the quarters of the Ninth 
Vermont, and were going to keep them as they had as good a right 
to them as any body else. Captain Splaine cooly said : 

"Now, Captain Graham, we will read General Palmer's order 
sending me down here to relieve the Ninth Vermont Regiment. It 
says : 'and to occupy their camp, and also to utilize any barracks, 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 231 

houses or huts used by the said Ninth Vermont, for the purpose of 
comfortably sheltering your command during the winter months.' 
Now, 5'^ou see, captain, that the order which I have quoted to 
you makes my command the owners of the property in dispute, 
and 1 want it restored at once. At the same time, if you feel 
that it would humiliate you or your men to move these huts 
and the lumber back, I will, if you will send your men to their 
quarters, have mj^ men do the work. You know, captain, that your 
men and mine are fighting in the same cause, and that there is 
enough to do to take care of the common enemy without fighting 
among ourselves.' ' 

Graham and his men were ugly. Splaine's men were not a bit 
angelic, and there was grave danger of a clash. If a single hostile 
move had been made by either side, the Lord only knows where it 
might have ended. Graham insisted that his men would keep 
what they had taken. Splaine was provoked, but maintained his 
temper and dignity. Finding Graham would not yield, he now 
asserted his authority as commanding officer, and ordered him to 
return the property. Graham's right hand reached for his pistol. 
Splaine reached for his own in a flash, and obtained a position on 
the right of his opponent, which is a decided advantage when two 
men are handling pistols. Splaine ordered Graham to send his 
men to their quarters, adding that he (Splaine) would send his 
to theirs, and that then the two officers would have a better oppor- 
tunity to settle their differences. At this, Graham did order his 
men to their quarters, but they did not go. "Pretty discipline, 
captain, isn't it?" said Splaine. "I will show you what disci- 
pline is.^ — Seventeenth, go to your quarters!" and every man of 
them obeyed the order. 

About this time, one of Graham's men approached Captain 
Splaine in a threatening manner, using offensive language, when to 
his utter astonishment he was quickly disposed of, and fell back- 
ward over a log. Much surprised at his reception, the fellow picked 
himself up and sought his quarters. At this stage of the affair, 
Capt. Splaine again asked Graham if he would send his men to their 
quarters. Graham said he would not restore the property, but the 
men could go to their quarters if they wanted to. At this Captain 



232 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Splaine shouted to Graham: "These huts are gomg back, even if 
they have to be carried over my dead body! Shall I order my men 
to arm and take the property by force? Or will you submit to 
lawful authority and act like a gentleman and an officer?' ' 

Both officers were gripping their pistols and their eyes were 
flashing. The men of Captain Splaine's command, hearing his 
loud words, and fearing for his safety, moved like a wave towards 
the spot where the argument was being held. At last Graham 
seemed to realize that he had met a man who was not a bit afraid of 
him. He dropped his hand from his pistol, faced to the right, 
saluted Captain Splaine, and said: "Well, captain, your men are 
welcome to take the property. We won't have any trouble over 
it." Splaine's men at once began to remove the property in dis- 
pute, and before they had fully finished the work, some of Gra- 
ham's men were helping them to move the little houses up the hill. 

In regard to Graham, it may be said that for nearly two years 
he had bullied nearly every officer who had in any way antagonized 
him, and on more than one occasion had blackened the eyes of some 
of those who had opposed him, in argument or controversy over 
cards. He was known to have pummeled one officer of high 
rank so thoroughly that that gentleman was off duty many days. 
But when he undertook to ride roughshod over the commander of 
the New Seventeenth, he found a man who feared neither his fists 
nor his bullets. After the altercation here described, Graham be- 
haved quite well, and things went along quite smoothly at Newport 
Barracks afterwards. 



AT NEWPORT BARRACKS. 

The new Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers settled down 
to business at Newport Barracks. Our organization was a batta- 
lion of four companies — A, B, and C being full to the maximum, 
while Company D, was, for the present, a mere squad. Recruits 
soon began to arrive, making Company D begin to look like a real 
company. Companies A and B were made up of veteran volun- 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 233 

teers, while Company C was partly veteran and partly men who 
had enlisted for two years. 

The battalion commander was busy for a few days visiting 
the many outposts to be guarded, and making proper distribution 
of his men, to secure the safety of the post. These posts had to be 
visited each day and night by the officer of the day, and two or 
three times a week by the post commander. The front to be 
guarded was about fourteen miles, requiring quite a number of 
men on duty at all times, and the active vigilance of the officers of 
the command. The companies were drilled regularly, and kept 
toned up to a high pitch of excellence. The company quarters 
were neatly kept, and the welfare of the men, with regard to com- 
fortable quarters, healthful surroundings and proper supplies was 
at all times properly looked after by their officers. 

It would have been hard at that time to find a small command 
like ours in such a high state of efficiency and contentment. All 
of the officers and a great majority of the men were veterans; all 
knew their duties and performed them. 



GENERAL PALMER FEARED ATTACK. 

The new Seventeenth Massachusetts had hardly settled down 
at Newport Barracks and made the acquaintance of the various 
commands there before it looked like active campaigning once 
more. On July 31, 1864, Captain Splaine, commanding the post, 
received a telegraphic dispatch from General Palmer, in command 
of the District of North Carolina, that General Ransom of the Con- 
federate Army, was going to attack Newport Barracks as part of 
a general movement against Newbern and other stations held by 
Union troops in the State and ordered the captain to hold his com- 
mand of 700 men, infantry, cavalry and artillery ready to evacuate 
his position. The captain at once asked for an interview with the 
general, which was granted. At this interview he tried to convince 
the general that with proper preparations he could hold his position 
against three times his numbers, and urged that, with Fort Ripley 



234 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

as a pivot of operations, new lines of defence could be promptly 
established in such a manner as to protect his supply of fresh water 
for his command. The general, however, would not listen to any 
suggestions, and peremptorily ordered Splaine to carry out his 
original instructions. 

Hardly had the captain returned from his interview when he 
received a confidential letter from Colonel Amory, commanding 
the sub-district of Beaufort, advising him that there was danger of 
an attack on Newport, and that he should be on the alert every 
minute. Then it was watch and wait, day after day and night 
after night — waiting for information and watching for the enemy. 
The officers were all tired out from such duty as patrolling the 
roads, visiting the pickets and detachments, some of whom were 
stationed miles away. At last the air cleared, and it was found 
that although the general movement reported as being in progress, 
on the part of the enemy, had actually been prepared and was about 
to be launched upon the various posts, something had happened to 
stop the whole proceeding. It was surmised at the time that the 
enemy's troops had probably been sent where they were more 
imperatively needed. 

After the Ransom scare, the command at Newport Barracks 
settled down to their ordinary military work — company drills, 
guard mounting and outpost duty taking up the time of all. About 
this time a number of recruits for the Seventeenth arrived from 
Massachusetts, and the fourth company, which had heretofore, 
been little more than a squad, now seemed to acquire the propor- 
tions of a good, smart-looking company. 

About this time, the officers of the regiment, feeling that the 
re-enlisted men had not been fairly treated, again made applica- 
tion to the general commanding for the furlough for forty days, 
which the law had provided for all men who had re-enlisted in the 
field. While awaiting the general's reply, the command was busy 
chasing some Confederates who had torn up the railroad tracks 
between Newport Barracks and Newbern. 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 235 

CHASE OF NICKERSON, THE REBEL SCOUT. 

Personal daring and adventure were of frequent happening 
among the men of the Union Army during the Civil War, and per- 
haps in no section of the South occupied by them were these quali- 
ties more conspicuous than in the Department of North Carolina, 
where the duties of a soldier were often of a desultory nature, 
affording opportunity for adventure in the interims of active work. 

During the month of August, 1864, the reorganized Seven- 
teenth Massachusetts Regiment was then stationed at Newport 
Barracks (Shepardsville), N. C, and everything being rather quiet 
Captain Henry Splaine, at that time in command of the battalion 
of veterans and other bodies of troops at that station, went on an 
expedition with a force of fifty cavalry, under Capt. George W. 
Graham, and accompanied by Captain Atwill, to Young's Cross 
Roads, forty-six miles distant, for the purpose of attacking, and 
perhaps capturing a force of Confederate cavalry known to be 
stationed not far from the Cross Roads. 

The command started late in the afternoon, and proceeded 
about thirty miles before camping for the night. They stabled 
their horses in an abandoned church, with a few men to look after 
them, and with the rest of the men chose a good defensive position, 
and, after posting a few pickets, laid down to rest. The night 
passed quietly, and early in the morning the party pushed on to the 
Cross Roads. 

They had no sooner turned into the square than Nickerson, 
the noted rebel scout, was encountered. No shots were then fired, 
but the command, without waiting for orders, rushed towards 
Nickerson. The daring scout refused to surrender, and turning 
his horse's head, made a bold attempt to escape. Captain Splaine 
mounted on a splendid horse, and in the lead, shouted the com- 
mand: ''Leave him to me!" at which order Captain Graham 
brought his men down to a slow gallop, and witnessed the running 
duel between Splaine and the fleeing scout. 

The pursuer gained on the rebel, and Nickerson, finding that 
he was being overhauled, turned in his saddle and fired, but missed 
his man. Now, Splaine, aiming between his horse's ears, let go 



236 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

at the scout. His fire was quickly returned, the bullet, like the first 
one, whizzing by Splaine 's left ear. The latter fired a second shot, 
and the scout a third, with no better result, and finding his pursuer 
gaining on him, he threw his left leg over his horse 's neck and made 
good his escape. 

Nickerson's horse, finding himself riderless, slackened his 
speed, as did Splaine 's also, and the latter now secured the horse 
and led him back to the command that had been slowly following 
him during the chase. When the captain rejoined his men, the 
entire party of forty-six rose in their stirrups and gave him three 
cheers. 

Splaine had a joke on himself at the time, but kept it concealed 
just then. It appears that the horse ridden by him was a very 
powerful and fast one, and in the chase had actually run away 
with him, despite all his endeavors to control him. Of course, 
the captain was willing to try conclusions with Nickerson, but he 
was not a bit willing to be galloped into ambush or mayhap the 
enemy's camp. The slackening of Nickerson's horse saved him. 
The horse of the scout was slightly wounded, proving that the 
captain's shot was a good line one. 

The command now faced about and soon afterwards crossed 
the White Oak River, at a point where the bridge had been burned 
down some time before. They had just reached the high land 
across the river, when they saw a man mounted on a white horse 
going rapidly towards the rebel camp, probably to notify them that 
the Yanks were coming. Splaine always believed that the man 
on the white horse was Nickerson, who, after escaping through the 
swamp, had secured a fresh mount, and was making his way to his 
comrades, who were in camp some two miles beyond the Cross 
Roads. 

After Splaine 's command had gone about three-quarters of a 
mile, they espied three mounted men coming towards them, who 
had evidently been sent out to ascertain the cause of the firing 
which had occurred in the chase. Graham drew his men into the 
woods, saying : "We will fire on them when they come up." Splaine 
shouted: "No, that would be murder!" and added: "Let us three 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 237 

officers dismount, and take the three fellows when they come up, 
and give them a fair fight.' ' 

The three officers dismounted, crossed the road, and took up a 
position nearly opposite that of the company, where they waited 
the coming of the three Confederates. As they approached. 
Sergeant Perkins in command, said to his comrades: "Say, fellows, 
what if the Yanks are in the woods?' ' At that moment the three 
officers rose up and demanded surrender. . Sergeant Perkins aimed 
and fired at Captain Splaine, but missed him. His carbine was 
now empty, and Splaine covered him with his six-shooter, ordering : 
/'Throw up your hands, or I'll bore a hole through you." Seeing 
that he was slow in coming to time, the captain shot the tall, 
sugar-loaf hat off the sergeant, to remind him of what was coming 
if he didn't surrender. The sergeant then quickly dismounted 
and surrendered. 

In the meantime. Captain Graham and Atwill were having 
conclusions with their men, who absolutely refused to surrender 
and dashed away to freedom. Graham jumped into the saddle of 
Perkins and gave chase. Splaine, taking charge of the cavalry, 
ordered three men to look after the prisoner and the horses of 
Graham and Nickerson, and started after Graham and the ''rebs," 
who were riding for their lives in advance of them. Shortly after 
this, Graham saw something which frightened him, and wheeling 
about shouted : " Get out of here ! They have fixed a trap for us !" 
"What is it?" demanded Splaine, "for if they don't greatly out- 
number us, we will give them a hot battle." Graham explained 
that the enemy was strong, and had arranged a pitfall into which 
the Union horses would fall if the pursuit was continued. 

Graham now insisted upon retiring by a ford across the river 
close to where the command then was, but the captured sergeant 
assured the officers that the ford was then impassable, owing to 
recent rains, which had swelled the river. Graham tried it, how- 
ever, and found that the sergeant had told the truth. Graham, 
then, anxious to learn the strength of the Confederates asked the 
sergeant how many men he had up there, to which the latter re- 
phed: "I reckon there are about twenty-five." Graham told the 
man he was lying, and if he wouldn't tell him the truth he would 



238 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

blow his head off. Graham meant it. The prisoner did something 
and said something, which aroused the pity of Splaine, who spurred 
his horse between the two men, saying : " Graham, I command here, 
and as an honorable man I must protect my prisoner.' ' Graham 
scowled and said: "Would you take the part of a d — — d rebel?' ' 
To which Splaine made answer that while he would not yield the 
palm to any man on earth in the matter of loyalty to the Union 
cause, he would not allow any man to murder a defenceless prisoner. 
He added: "If you are thirsting for honorable battle, follow me, 
and I will lead the command against the Johnnies up yonder." 

After a while Graham cooled down, and then the whole com- 
mand recrossed the White Oak River and took up the march for 
camp, calling, however, at the opposite side of the ford, where 
Graham had stationed a sergeant and five men earlier in the day to 
guard against any attempt of the enemy to cross the ford in the 
rear of the command. Upon reaching the ford it was found that 
the guard had disappeared, and the officers were puzzled as to 
whether they had not fallen into the enemy 's hands or had made 
their way to the home camp. 

The facts were, that the guard, hearing the firing and seeing 
nothing of their friends, became alarmed, and believing that the 
whole command had been captured, made their way as fast as they 
could and gave the alarm in camp. 

When the three officers, with the cavalry, arrived in camp 
that night, they found the place in an uproar. Capt. W. W. Smith, 
in command during Captain Splaine 's absence, had 150 veterans 
in line, and was about to march to the rescue of the missing troop 
and officers. When the command reached camp the "vets" were 
returned to their quarters and thanked for their wilhngness to help 
their comrades. The prisoner, Sergeant Perkins, was a member of 
the Sixth Georgia Cavalry, or First Confederate Regulars. He was 
a good, respectable fellow, and was treated well by Captain Splaine 
and went away to prison the next day. 

Captain Splaine though tired after his ride of ninety-four 
miles, fearing that the enemy might follow and make trouble for 
his pickets, secured a fresh horse and visited the outposts of his 
command, which required a ride of twelve miles. He told the 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 239 

guards what had happened during the day, and cautioned them not 
to be caught napping. He had ridden 106 miles in thirty hours, 
and taking out eight hours for sleep and time to eat, was in the 
saddle by actual count twenty-two hours. During the day he had 
had two single-handed encounters, capturing Sergeant Perkins and 
horse, and the horse of Nickerson. 

Captain Atwill was a brave and gentlemanly fellow, and 
afterwards became colonel of an infantry regiment. Graham was a 
brave, but a bad man. He wouldn't halt at murder. He never 
halted at robbery. He was a scourge to the poor people inhabit- 
ing the netural zone. Wherever he went with his command, if 
not accompanied by a superior officer or some other command, he 
robbed and pillaged and sometimes committed arson, or perhaps 
even a worse crime. It is true that he was brave and did some 
good fighting, and his success enabled him to deceive the command- 
ing general, who gave him carte-hlanche to go about wherever 
he wanted to, not knowing, however, that he was a ravening wolf 
in sheep's clothing, and that wherever he went as a lone and 
independent command, he left a trail of misery and desolation 
behind him. He finally received his deserts, however, for he met 
a most miserable and dishonorable death. 

It appears that, after the close of the Civil War, Graham 
was commissioned a captain of cavalry in the regular army, and 
later on was promoted to major. Up to his old tricks, he sold 
government horses and sold them as his own property. After a 
time, he was detected, courtmartialed and sent to prison. He 
was to marry an estimable lady the evening of the day on which 
he was arrested. The marriage never took place. 

Some time afterwards he made his escape, and raised a small 
band of robbers who stopped at nothing. Among their daring 
crimes was the robbery of an army paymaster on his way to pay 
off some troops. The Graham gang wounded some of the guards 
and drove the others away, then robbed the paymaster, after 
wounding him, of all the money he had. This was in the western 
country. Soon after this, Graham organized a large body of 
desperadoes, attacked a mining camp, drove the miners out, and 
then worked the mine for himself and companions. The owners 



240 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

made their case known to the authorities in that region, who, in a 
short time, raised a large posse and went for Graham and his gang. 
The commander placed a large body of men in ambush on the only 
road over which Graham could retreat, and with the main body 
of his forces attacked the desperadoes. Both sides lost men in the 
fight, but the Graham party was routed. Graham and his surviv- 
ing men took to the only road open to them and rushed along it, 
hoping to escape; but the men in ambush opened fire on them, 
Graham among others being killed, several bullets having entered 
his body. Others of his gang were killed or wounded and only 
a few of the party effected their escape. 

Graham was given many credit marks for acts of bravery 
during the Civil War, but there was one given him which he 
did not deserve. At the battle of Goldsboro, General Foster 
desired that the railroad bridge across the Neuse River should 
be burned, and detailed Captain Graham for the task. Graham 
made the attempt, and, although wearing the uniform of a Con- 
federate officer, failed to burn the bridge. He ran down the track 
towards the bridge, with the portfire in his hands, to set it on fire, 
but the rebel fire was so hot that he soon returned pell-mell, and 
jumped behind a log lying beside the track, saying the place was 
too hot, and it was no use to try it, as it could not be done. 

Following this failure. Colonel Fellows of the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts Regiment, received an order to destroy the bridge. 
He detailed Barnabas N. Mann to take volunteers from the regi- 
ment to do the work. When a call for volunteers for this work 
was made, there was no lack of response. Selecting his men, the 
lieutenant went to the bridge, set fire to it, and while returning to 
the regiment, was shot in the abdomen. 

The truth of this statement was often vouched for by Colonel 
Fellows and other officers of the regiment, and is now confirmed 
by Colonel Henry Splaine, who commanded Company A at the 
battle of Goldsboro, and who witnessed the whole affair from first 
to last. Lieutenant Mann recovered from his wound, if it could 
be called a recovery, for he never was a well man after, and in a 
few years died from the effects of that injury received while per- 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 241 

forming the heroic feat for which the credit was claimed by another 
— Graham. 

Even at this late daj^, Colonel Splaine names the two men 
from his company who, with other volunteers, accompanied 
Lieutenant Mann and fired the bridge. These men of Company 
A, were Willard Edmandsof Saugus and Lewis F. Besse of Chelsea. 



CAPTURE OF A CONFEDERATE OFFICER. . 

Still tiring of inactivity at Newport Barracks, Captain Splaine 
determined to make a trip to the enemy's territory across Pamlico 
Sound. For this purpose he took with him Captain Graham and 
ten picked men of the latter's command (loyal North Carolinas) . 
All were well mounted and armed to the teeth. They left the camp 
just before sundown, August 24, 1864. After a ride of ten miles 
they met the first excitement of the expedition. They entered a 
gorge or gully, the descent into which was deep on both sides. 
As they were about to make the ascent from it, they were startled 
by a wierd sight; it looked as though a command of giants had 
suddenly sprung from the soil, and with huge and dangerous 
looking implements of war, perhaps to wipe out of existence any 
Yankee force that might be encountered. If Captain Splaine's 
command had been superstitious, they could not be blamed if 
they ran away. Instead, the order was : " Halt, Ready !' ' and then 
the commander dashed forward, and cried, "Halt! Who goes there?' 
An answer came back: "It is us, Massa. Who is yous?' ' "Stand! 
Advance one, and be recognized!" The leader came forward and 
explained that he and his companions were a party of colored men 
riding home from a farm, which they were working on shares. 
They were mounted on mules, and what, in the atmospheric 
mirage, which made giants of the riders and mules, look like 
terrible weapons of destruction, were really only longhandled hoes, 
spades, forks, etc. To the little force in the gully, the peaceable 
darkeys presented a truly formidable appearance. It was a 
dark place, and almost entirely covered by tall trees. The soldiers 
now stood aside and let the cavalcade march by. 



242 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

After this experience, the command proceeded about ten 
miles and went into camp for the night, one man being placed on 
guard,with orders to awake a certain man in one hour and put him 
on guard, and to so change guards until morning. The party 
moved forward quite early, reaching South River in good time, 
where they found a scow on which they crossed over. Here they 
found some colored people whom they could trust, and placing 
their horses in charge of their new friends, they proceeded further 
on. They soon found a serviceable sloop of about thirty tons, 
commanded by its owner, assisted by a negro sailing master, who 
was a competent mariner. 

In this sloop the party crossed Pamlico Sound, landing at 
Smith's Creek the following forenoon. They found the negro 
sailing master to be loyal, but would not trust the owner. During 
the sail across the Sound, they found an opportunity to talk 
to the sailing master, who promised loyalty and obedience. When 
about to leave the sloop at Smith's Creek to go a short distance 
inland. Captain Splaine gave the negro a spare pistol, with orders, 
" If the owner of this sloop attempts to sail away, leaving us at the 
mercy of the enemy, it will be your duty to overpower him and 
hold the boat for us." 

On landing, the party found themselves at the door of a fine 
mansion. As they were about to ask for a drink of water, a stately 
woman came forward and asked if there was a commissioned officer 
in the party. Upon being answered that there were two, she 
demanded their protection. Captain Splaine assured her that no 
harm would come to her, her family or her property, and remarked 
as a bit of strategy, that his command was only the advance guard 
of a large body of men whom he expected along soon. 

The party now moved rapidly forward, and halted at a farm 
house to rest, and where they ate some watermelons. The only 
occupant at the time was Miss Betsey, who was very communi- 
cative and of an inquiring mind. She didn't get much information 
from any of the party, however. 

The men had purchased some nice watermelons of Miss 
Betsey and had seated themselves in the yard to eat them, 
Graham and his men seating themselves in the shade of a high 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH, 243 

board fence. Captain Splaine, however, always on the lookout 
against trouble, seated himself on the steps of the front door, in 
the glowing sun, but from which position he had a full view of 
all approaches to the house. 

They had not been long seated when Splaine discovered some- 
one approaching. The newcomer proved to be a handsome 
Confederate officer, well mounted. He rode slowly to the gate 
at the highway end of a private road leading up to the house, 
stooped from his saddle, unlatched the gate, rode in and latched 
it again. He then rode slowly up to the gate in the high board 
fence, and as his horse poked its nose over the fence, he shouted, 
''O Betsey! Open the gate!" From the first, Captain Splaine 
had watched the movements of the newcomer. He saw that he 
had locked himself in, as all the fences were too high for his horse 
to jump. 

Just before the Confederate officer and reached the gate to 
the yard, Splaine signaled to his companions to keep still, and 
drawing his pistol, reached the interior gate at the same moment 
that the call to Betsey was made. Splaine and the newcomer 
reached the gate at the same time, the former saying to the 
Confederate: ''My prisoner. Pass me that pistol, butt foremost; 
and be very careful how you do it; for if you attempt any funny 
business, I will blow your head off.' ' 

The Confederate officer was a handsome and dignified gentle- 
man, but did not like to surrender his pistol. Evidently 
believing his would-be captor was alone, and thinking that sur- 
render under such circumstances would be disgraceful, he hesitated 
and fumbled with his weapon, hoping to finally get the drop on his 
adversary, and make him the prisoner or kill him. 

All this time Splaine didn't blink an eye, but kept a steady 
gaze on the Confederate. Finally becoming impatient at the 
dilatory tactics of the latter, he commanded an immediate surrender 
of the pistol or he would fire. Becoming satisfied that further 
delay was useless, the Confederate surrendered his pistol, butt 
foremost. Upon receiving the surrender of the officer. Captain 
Splaine ordered Graham's men to open the gate, and take possession 
of rider and horse. 



244 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

When the prisoner dismounted and surveyed his captor, he 
said, "Are you not Captain Splaine?" The latter gave an affir- 
mative answer, and in turn inquired : "How do you know me, sir?' ' 
The prisoner answered "I saw you at my father's house when I 
was last home on leave of absence." "Where does you father live, 
and what is his name?" "He resides near your camp at New- 
port Barracks, and his name is Jabez Bell,' ' the prisoner answered. 
"Then you are Captain George Bell?" said Captain Splaine. 
The prisoner said he was, and added that when at home the last 
time he had spared his captor's Hfe. Being asked how it happened, 
Bell explained the matter. He said, "You rode out to my father's 
house one day, dismounted, and after securing your horse, seated 
yourself near my father on the piazza. As I saw you coming, I 
ran into the barn, where I found a loaded musket, which I aimed 
at you." "Why didn't you fire, George?" said Splaine. "I 
thought it would ])e murder, and desisted." 

At this, Splaine said: "Well, Captain Bell, one good turn 
deserves another, and on our way back to Newport Barracks, we 
will stop at your father's house, have dinner there, give you an op- 
portunity to meet your father, mother, and your sisters Alice and 
Susie. We will make a long stop there, to give you an opportunity 
to talk all you want to with your folks; but remember that I won't 
let you go into that barn." Captain Bell and Graham and his 
men laughed heartily at this sally. 

When Captain Bell arrived at that interior gate and called on 
Betsey to open it, he received no response. Instead of answering 
his summons, she was running as fast as her dainty feet could carry 
her, across the country to notify Captain Bell's men of his capture. 
Captain Splaine, noting her movement, said to Graham: "Let 
us get out of this cage, and take up a position nearer our boat.' ' 

Splaine walked with Bell and treated him kindly, but at the 
same time was drawing from him all the information he could. He 
gathered from him that his command was collecting supplies for 
General Lee's army and shipping the stores northward as rapidly 
as possible. Splaine finally said: "On your honor, captain, how 
many men have you over yonder?" Bell said he had twenty-five 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 245 

men, well mounted and armed with carbines. "Have they any 
pistols, captain?' ' asked Splaine. — "No pistols/ ' was the reply. 

Having reached the *ross-roads, Splaine now said to Gra- 
ham: "There are twenty-five of them armed with carbines. 
There are twelve of us armed with revolvers. We will give them 
battle if they follow us." A proper disposition was now made 
the httle band; but after waiting a whole hour and finding no enemy 
in sight, the party marched to the landing, where they found their 
negro sailor and his master awaiting their return. The party tried 
to hoist Captain Bell's horse into the sloop, but, failing in this, 
made a present of the animal to Mrs. Smith, for whose family the 
creek had been named. 

The party set sail, recrossed Pamlico Sound, reaching South 
River next morning. Captain Splaine noticed that Captain Bell 
had his pockets well filled with some substance, and ordered him to 
show what he had in them. He had many letters from officers 
and men in Lee's army to their folks in the country where Bell and 
his men were collecting supplies. Of course, Splaine took posses- 
sion of them, and when opportunity offered read them all. While 
the letters contained no information as to army movements, many 
of them were interesting reading, as showing the straits to which 
even Lee's army was driven in the matter of supplies, to say nothing 
about comforts and luxuries. 

The party landed near a poor-looking farmhouse, and inquired 
of the woman if she would kindly prepare breakfast for them, and 
they would pay her well for her trouble. She made answer that 
she had nothing more than she and her children needed. Captain 
Splaine's party produced bacon and coffee, and asked the woman 
to cook the bacon and fry some eggs, which she did. 

While breakfast was cooking, Splaine was reading the letters 
he had taken from Bell. Among them, curiously enough, he 
found one from the husband of their hostess, addressed to her. 
The letter was full of love, loyalty and sympathy for his family. 
He was sorry to know how poor they were, but he hoped for better 
times. He told how poorly Lee's army was provided for — with 
little coffee or sugar ; but that the little he was getting, he was saving 
for his wife, and would bring it home soon, as he expected to get a 



246 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

furlough. He referred most tenderly to his wife's physical condi- 
tion, and hoped to be home to help her through her trouble. 

After breakfast, Captain Splaine told his hostess that he had 
a letter for her from her husband. She was startled and alarmed, 
fearing that her guest intended harm because her husband was a 
Confederate soldier. But the captain spoke kindly to her, when 
she felt reassured and became calm. She read the letter, and then 
calling her little ones around her, read their father's letter to them. 
They all wept, and thanked Captain Splaine for the letter. 

The captain paid her more than well for the meal, and then 
turned over to her all the supplies his party had with them. The 
party now re-crossed South River on the same old scow, resumed 
their march, and when night came, took shelter in a block-house 
occupied by a negro family, consisting of father and mother and 
six children. They all bunked together on the floor, under the 
only window in the building. Splaine and Graham secreted their 
pistols, laid down on the middle of the floor, had the prisoner lie 
between them, and cautioned him that if he attempted to escape 
from the building the guards outside would shoot him down. 

There were, as a matter of fact, no guards outside or inside. 
The party had gone for two days and two nights without sleep, 
and in that warm August weather it was hard to resist the temp- 
tation to sleep. Some time during the night, Bell, finding the two 
officers sound asleep, got up from between them, reached the 
window, threatening the negroes with death if they uttered a cry, 
placed his hands on the window-sill, and plunged head first through 
the window. He escaped. 

The sleeping captains were awakened by the breaking of the 
window and the cries of the colored people. It was too late, how- 
ever. The bird had flown. The officers went out, found their 
men sound asleep and made up their minds that pursuit was use- 
less. They returned to the block-house, taking their men with 
them, and finished their much-needed sleep. 

After a breakfast of hog and hominy, — which was paid for, — 
an early start was made the next morning. At noontime, after a 
lively ride, they reached the home of Captain Bell's people, where 
they were served with dinner. During the meal, Captain Splaine 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 247 

told the family of his adventure with Captain Bell, but before he 
could finish the relation, Miss Alice cried out: "Where is my 
brother? Have you murdered him?" Splaine replied: "Oh, 
no! Americans don't murder. They fight, as true soldiers should. 
We captured your brother and brought him across Pamlico Sound, 
and we intended to bring him here to see you all, but while we were 
sound asleep he made his escape.' ' 

At this, Alice clapped her hands gleefully, and said: "I'm 
so glad! I'm so glad!" At this Splaine said, jokingly: "You 
little rebel," Alice replied: "Call me a rebel or anything you 
want to, but I can't help saying that I am glad my brother has 
escaped." 

After dinner, the scouting party rode into their own camp, 
where they had a much-needed rest. 

During the sail across Pamlico Sound, Captain Bell, in a spirit 
of friendship, said: "Captain Splaine, you are too fond of riding 
alone through the country around Newport Barracks. Stop it, 
or you will come to grief. Don't tempt the goddess too far." 
Splaine did not forget that warning. 



On the heels of this excitement came the unwelcome rumor 
that yellow fever had broken out in Newbern. On September 24, 
1864, Captain Splaine received orders to take his veteran volun- 
teers home to their State for forty days. The captain visited Gen- 
eral Palmer and Surgeon-in-chief Hand at Newbern, to find out the 
truth of the rumors about yellow fever, and so convinced was he 
of the danger that he wouldn't allow anyone to land from a train 
at Newport Barracks. Even Captain Graham was peremptorily 
refused permission to visit the city. Every precaution consistent 
with military duty was taken to guard the command against the 
awful peril, which had now begun to assume dangerous proportions. 
Pine branches were kept burning in the company streets day and 
night, and at reveille each morning the men were served with hot 
coffee with a " stick' ' in it. 

Final orders came to start North with the veteran volunteers, 
but Captain Splaine prevailed upon General Palmer to permit him to 
take transport at Fort Spinola wharf, so as to avoid going into 



248 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Newbern. By these means the battaUon went North and returned 
without the loss of a single man. Lieutenant Malcolm Sillars was 
left in command of the recruits, Lieut-Colonel Curlis of the Ninth 
New Jersey Volunteers, commanded the Post. 

The battalion sailed from Fort Spinola Wharf September 23, 
1864, making Fortress Monroe on the 25th. Several hours' delay 
occurred here, until Captain Splaine communicated by telegraph 
with General Butler, who was at Bermuda Hundreds. General 
Butler authorized the battalion to proceed, and said the leaves 
of absence for the officers would follow by mail to Boston. The 
battalion reached Boston, September 28th, and was entertained in 
Faneuil Hall by Mayor Lincoln. Colonel Fellows was present, 
having been exchanged, to welcome his old comrades-in-arms. 

While the officers and men were at home enjoying themselves 
they received the sad news that Colonel Thomas I. C. Amory had 
died at Beaufort, N. C, of yellow fever, on the seventh day of 
October, 1864. 

A short time after this. Captain Splaine was commissioned 
major, upon the recommendation of Colonel Fellows, then an ex- 
changed prisoner of war, and employed on special work, at '^he 
State House, Boston, Mass., by Governor Andrew. 

The furlough of the command expired just before presidential 
election, and the battalion was retained in Massachusetts, so that 
the men might vote for the candidate of their choice, the candidates 
being Abraham Lincoln on the Republican ticket, and General 
McClellan on the Democratic ticket. 

The command started from Boston, November 10th, reaching 
New York the following day, and waited there for transportation 
until the 16th, when passage was secured on the " El Cid " transport, 
and arrived at Newbern on Sunday, November 20th, at 10 A. M., 
and at Newport Barracks the same night. 



RETURN TO NEWBERN AFTER FURLOUGH. 

When they arrived at Newbern, after a furlough of forty days, 
in their home state, the officers and many of the men of the re- 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH, 249 

organized Seventeenth Regiment liad an opportunity to see the 
city as it appeared after the scourge of yellow fever, which had lasted 
nearly two months. In that time, many officers and men of the 
army, civilians in the employ of the government, and a number 
of the unfortunate inhabitants of the place, went down to un- 
timely graves. Among the soldiers who died there, the Seven- 
teenth lost a number who had been on detached service when the 
regiment went home on veteran furlough, and who preferred to 
remain at their posts rather than go home with their comrades. 

When the command was going on furlough. Captain Splaine 
urged every man so detailed to join the command, and told them it 
was a good opportunity to avoid some contagious disease which was 
then prevalent in the city; but they didn't heed the warning advice. 
Nearly everj^ man of them died. When the dread disease of 
yellow fever became established in Newbern, some of the superior 
officers of the garrison found it convenient to go to other sections 
of the department, and by this move were, perhaps, fortunate 
enough to save their lives. 

To the returning officers and men of the Seventeenth the city 
presented a desolate and forbidding appearance. Many houses 
had been burned in efforts to stop the spread of the disease, leaving 
the bare chimneys to mark their former existence, while the remain- 
ing houses were black from the smoke of fumigation. Even the 
trees showed the effects of fumigation, being blackened and leafless, 
and everyone seemed in despair. The troops and surviving civil- 
ians seemed sorrow-stricken and disheartened, and looked as if 
they had been deserted and neglected. 

To form an adequate idea of Newbern, as seen by the officers 
and men of the command on that Sunday, November 20, 1864, one 
would only have to recall the awful picture in Byron's "Darkness.' ' 
The officers and men of the Seventeenth now learned for the 
first time the full extent of the misfortunes which had come to 
Colonel Amory and his family. The colonel had died. His wife 
and mother also died, leaving three beautiful children. Fortunately 
their uncles, R. Gordon Amory, and his brother Major William A. 
Amory (both commissioned officers in the Second Massachusetts 
Heavy Artillery), were in Newbern, and, with Colonel Frankle, 



250 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

looked after the children. If the officers of the Seventeenth had 
been present at the time of the deaths in the Amory family, they 
would have rendered every assistance in their power to the bereaved 
ones. The youngest of the children, Laura Carolina, the "Daugh- 
ter of the Regiment,' ' was at the time only five months old. 

Back at Newport Barracks, the Seventeenth again settled 
down to military life, and soon became more efficient than ever in 
all things pertaining to their duties. 



NEWBERN DURING THE RAVAGES OF YELLOW FEVER. 



By Roland F. Lewis. 

After re-enlisting, I was detailed to General Harland's head- 
quarters, and assigned to the sanitary department, as yellow fever 
and small-pox were then raging in and about Newbern. I was 
placed in charge of a force of four hundred and fifty colored men, 
with orders to clean up the city and restore it to a sanitary condi- 
tion. With this force I di stributedsome two hundreddcarloads 
of lime about the yards of houses in and about the city, cut dOwn 
the trees, and at night burned over two hundred barrels of turpen- 
tine and about five hundred cords of wood. 

My instructions were to keep the city enveloped in smoke in 
order to destroy the germs of the fever. I saw my comrades dying 
every day. One of them I recall, was Sol Parks of the 23d Massa- 
chusetts Regiment, who died of the black vomit at my head- 
quarters. He was a Newburyport boy. I visited the Foster and 
Stanley General Hospitals. 

At the time when the Seventeenth went home on veteran fur- 
lough General Harland requested me to remain with him, which 
I did, and after the city was cleared of fever, I came home on fur- 
lough. The men in the government harness shop, who had yellow 
fever, recovered and returned to work. These men made a full 
set of horse equipments and presented them to me for the many 
little acts of kindness I had rendered them while they were sick 
with the fever. The great fire on Middle Street, in Newbern, broke 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 251 

out while I had charge of the pump department and cisterns of 
the city. It destroyed a great amount of property, including a 
large hotel and many business establishments. 

On my return from furlough, in company with Henry Dixey, 
whom we always called "Duchey," we took the United States 
steamer "Undine," commanded by Captain Simmons, to go 
through the Dismal Swamp Canal. We were frozen in the canal, 
and in company witli the whaler, "General Shepley," remained 
there some two weeks before we could proceed. 



TRADING DAY AT THE POST. 

Among the" institutions' ' at the post was one known as "Trad- 
ing Day," which meant that on Wednesdays the people residing 
in the neutral zone were permitted to come to a certain place just 
inside the picket line for the purpose of swapping products of their 
farms and industries for certain necessaries and comforts of life 
furnished by northern traders from within. All of this was done 
under the supervision of Captain Splaine, who was careful to see 
that no goods contraband of war went out, which could be used by 
the armed enemy. Many of the outsiders would come near the 
trading post on Tuesday evening, and remain on the roadside over 
night, so as to commence trading in the morning. 

On one of those Tuesdays, Captain Splaine rode far outside 
the trading post to see for himself what sort of people he was deal- 
ing with, and as he was about to turn back, he noticed a man about 
half a mile away coming towards him. The captain drew his 
horse into the woods, and as the man came in front of him, rode out 
briskly. He halted the man, asked who he was and where he was 
going. 

The stranger seemed greatly surprised, but answered that he 
was going down to the trading post. He was reminded that 
Tuesday was not trading day, and was asked what he had to sell. 
He replied that he had nothing to sell, but expected to see some 
friends there. He was asked if he was not a Confederate soldier, 
and replied that he was not. Captain Splaine noticing that he 
had something bulky in his inside pocket, demanded to be shown 



252 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

what was there. The fellow objected, saying that what he had was 
his private property. The captain then said that he would march 
him in as a prisoner of war. 

This intimation brought the fellow to his senses, and he con- 
sented to show quite a number of letters for persons inside the lines, 
but in passing over the letters, he slipped one from the bunch, and 
by a quick movement, secreted it in his clothing. "That letter, 
sir!" shouted the captain. The fellow declared it was only a 
letter from his mother. "That letter, sir, or I march you in a 
prisoner!" 

The letter was reluctantly surrendered. It was addressed 
to "Capt. George W. Graham, Newport Barracks." That was 
enough for Captain Splaine, who demanded to know who had sent 
it. The answer was that a farmer some miles outside had asked 
him to deliver it to Graham at the trading post. The captain 
ordered the fellow to face about and not come near the trading post 
until the next day. 

Upon his return to camp that afternoon, the captain read the 
letters he had taken from the fellow, and when he came to the one 
addressed to Captain Graham, he found that it was from Captain 
McDuffie of the Confederate Army, suggesting plans to further a 
former scheme, by which Graham was to ship through the Union 
lines certain important army supplies, and that the payment was 
to be in gold. 

Captain Splaine kept his own counsel, but rode out to the 
trading post the next morning, and to his surprise found Captain 
Graham ahead of him, and in very earnest conversation with the 
man from whom he had taken the letters the day previous. The 
two captains saluted and spoke very pleasantly, although Graham 
must have known that Splaine held a secret which meant hanging 
if divulged. 

The Captain McDuffie referred to had married a Miss Jones, 
who was the sister of Captain Graham' s adopted wife. 

After the incident just related Captain Splaine studiously 
avoided riding into the country alone with Graham, and the latter 
was more than kind and attentive to his commander thereafter. 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 253 

Why was not Graham hanged? To this question Splaine 
answered : " Don't ask such questions. Tity, forgive and forget. ' " 



December 12. Rumors are rife that the regiment is to be 
filled up, and that many of the officers of the old regiment are 
coming back. Early in December Captain Splaine tried to muster 
on his commission as major, but was refused muster on the ground 
that, according to army regulations, a battalion of only four com- 
panies could not have a major. It could, however, have a lieu- 
tenant-colonel. Whereupon the captain wrote to General Grant, 
stating the facts, and asking for an order to muster as major, and 
on the same day wrote to Governor Andrew, asking for a com- 
mission as lieutenant-colonel. General Grant, who was never over- 
fond of red tape, sent the order for Captain Splaine to muster as 
major, and the same mail brought a commission as lieutenant- 
colonel. The captain, never liking the position of major, chose 
to be mustered as lieutenant-colonel, and was so mustered Decem- 
ber 19, 1864. 

December 23. The fleet intended for attack on W^ilmington 
has put in at Beaufort, and our trains are busy carrying them 
fresh water. 

December 25. Our fleet is bombarding Fort Fisher. We hear 
their guns plainly. 

December 28. Received copy of orders from the War Depart- 
ment for the transfer of several hundred men from the Second 
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, there being several hundred too 
many men in that regiment. (This transfer was brought about by 
Colonel Fellows, formerly lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, and 
recently an exchanged prisoner of war.) 

January 2, 1865. First Lieut. Joseph A. Moore made ad- 
jutant, and on the 7th, Lieut.-Colonel Splaine relieves Lieut.- 
Colonel Curlis, Splaine being made provost marshal of the whole 
command and Charles E. Flanders, Company "D," clerk and 
assistant. 

January 9. General Palmer orders the retention of 150 of the 
surplus men to be transferred to the Seventeenth from the Second 



254 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Heavies, to fill vacancies which "might occur." (This is in 
direct violation of the order from the War Department.) 

January 15. Plainly heard the bombardment of Fort Fisher. 

January 16. Received 37 men, being the first of the surplus 
ordered from the Second Massachusetts Heavy, and on January 17th 
there came 73 more. Company E is now organized, making five 
companies to date. 

January 18. General Palmer issued a special order for the 
retention of 50 additional surplus men in the Second Heavy, to 
fill vacancies made by prisoners of war. (Upon receipt of this 
order. Colonel Splaine wrote to Governor Andrew, telling him 
about the measures adopted in Newbern, to prevent the carrying 
out of the governor's wishes and the order of the War Depart- 
ment. It will be seen that General Palmer's first order retained 
150 men in the Second Heavy to fill vacancies which might occur, 
and that his second order retained 50 men to fill vacancies made 
by prisoners of war. Now, these 200 men would have made the 
Seventeenth 1,000 strong, and Colonel Fellows could have mus- 
tered as colonel, for the new regulations provided that no more 
commissioned officers could be mustered unless the commands 
to which they were assigned were up to the maximum number of 
men. Each new company organized had, by orders from the War 
Department, to be of the full strength of 100 men, so that when 
all who were transferred from the Second Heavy were assigned, 
there were only eight full companies, which precluded Colonel 
Fellows from being mustered as colonel.) 

January 20. Colonel John F. Fellows, commissioned colonel 
of the regiment by Governor Andrew, arrived in camp, and was 
warmly greeted by the officers and men. 

(Now rumor had it that a number of the officers who had 
gone home with the old regiment, were being recommissioned 
for the new one, which was regarded as an .injustice to the ones 
who remained in the service, and feeling ran so high that Captain 
Smith and Lieutenants Moore and Cann threatened to resign. 
Colonel Splaine fully informed Colonel Fellows of all that was 
going on in Newbern, called his attention to the special orders 
of General Palmer to keep 200 men on the waiting list of the 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 255 

Second Heavy Artillery, and suggested that he inform Gover- 
nor Andrews of what had been and was being done. This Colonel 
Fellows did, but no one knew what the answer was, or what 
action the governor had taken.) 



CAPTAIN GRAHAM ONCE MORE. 

About this time (the latter part of January, 1865), a Con- 
federate blockade runner for Wilmington, having lost her bearings, 
owing to bad weather, ran on the beach in Bogue Sound, about 
fourteen miles south of Fort Macon and about eight miles distant 
from Newport Barracks. The crew of the vessel made their 
escape into rebeldom, taking with them as much money as they 
could conveniently carry. She had taken a cargo of cotton to 
England and was returning with a load of war material and plenty 
of gold coin. She was now taken possession of by Union troops 
from Fort Macon, and a few days afterwards, a force of men 
from the gunboats at Newbern, was sent to look after the ship. 

Unloading had continued several days, until it had become 
common knowledge that a large amount of gold coin was being 
taken from the ship, and was being carefully guarded. One night, 
there being no moon, and things appeared gloomy along the shore, 
the guards were surprised by a party of Confederate,s on the bluff 
shore, who opened a fusilade upon them. The guards, fearing 
they would be overpowered and captured, fled, leaving the enemy 
in possession. They remained long enough in possession to get 
away with a few thousand dollars in gold, and nothing else. 

About two weeks after this, quite a display of gold coin was 
made by Graham's men and they seemed anxious to get rid of it, 
dollar for dollar, for paper money. A five dollar gold piece could 
be bought for five dollars in bills, when, as a fact, it was worth 
more than double the amount at the time. 

This news reached Colonel Splaine's ears, and he immediately 
investigated the affair. The inference he drew was that Graham 
and some of his men made their way out of camp that night and 
personating the Confederates, frightened the guards away, and then 



256 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

plundered as they pleased, but took nothing but coin. Splaine 
promptly conveyed to his superior officers his impressions of the 
robbery but met with, nothing but unsatisfactory encouragement, 
and leaving the case in their hands, it seemed to fade from the 
minds of everybody. 

January 23. Hospital Steward Cotting, who remained by 
Adjutant Cheever, when the latter was supposed to be mortally 
wounded at the battle of Batchelder's Creek, February 1, 1864, 
and who was released from rebel prison only a few days ago, 
reported for duty. He was promptly recommended by Colonel 
Splaine for a commission (which he received a few days afterwards) . 

January 26. Nine deserters from Company B, Seventeenth 
North Carolina Confederate Regiment, arrived in camp and were 
properly disposed of. 



GENERAL GRANT AND THE SENTRY. 

At daybreak, on Sunday, January 28, 1865, while Private 
Herbert Splaine was on guard at the wharf at Moorehead City, 
he noticed two boats approaching the landing, that seemed to 
have Union soldiers on board. As the boats drew nearer, he 
could see that the occupants were commissioned officers, though 
they wore overcoats such as the enlisted men generally wore. 
The sentry hailed the party and ordered them to halt, one to land 
and give the countersign. The answer was : ' ' Commissioned officers 
without the countersign." The sentry then ordered: "Heave to, 
and send one officer ashore to be recognized." Whereupon a 
captain came ashore and the sentry being satisfied that everything 
was all right, said ''Advance, officers." At this command, about 
twelve officers landed. After looking around a moment, one, 
who appeared to be in authority, inquired of the sentry if there 
was a telegraph office near by, and being told there was not, he 
asked how near was the nearest commissioned officer of the 
command. The sentry replied that he was about three miles away. 
Then the officer in authority said ''Sentry, give your musket to 

Captain , who will do guard duty while you are gone, 

and bring a commissioned officer to me at once." The sentry 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 257. 

said: "Oh, no, sir; I wouldn't dare do that." And when asked 
why not, he said, " That brother of mine would kill me for doing it.' ' 
When asked who his brother was, his answer was : " Colonel Splaine, 
in command of my regiment." The officer said "I guess your 
brother must be a strict disciplinarian." The sentry answered: 
"Yes, sir." The officer then inquired the sentry's name, and the 
answer was: "Herbert, sir.' ' The officer then said "Herbert, give 
your musket to the captain, and take his pistol. Go rapidly, 
capturing the first conveyance you can find, and keep going until 
you find a commissioned officer, and bring him to me." Herbert 
remonstrated, saying he could not do it. Whereupon the officer 
threw back his coat and said, "Herbert, I must order you to do it.' ' 
Herbert looked at the officer a moment and then exclaimed, 
excitedly "Great Scott! General Grant." 

He almost threw his musket at the captain, grabbed the pistol 
and ran up the road with all his speed. At the cross road, about 
a fourth of a mile away, he encountered a colored man, mounted 
on a good horse, and without any ceremony ordered him, by order 
of General Grant, to dismount. The man quickly obeyed him 
upon seeing the pistol pointed at his head. Herbert jumped 
into the saddle, rode fast, and found Capt. William W. Smith 
of the Seventeenth Massachusetts, to whom he gave the order of 
General Grant. Captain Smith at once mounted his own horse, 
and he and Herbert returned to where the general and his party 
were awaiting them. The general wished to be put into com- 
munication with General Palmer at Newbern, and Captain Smith 
facilitated matters, finding shelter and food for him and his party 
in a nearby farmhouse. 

About an hour afterwards, a train came thundering down the 
track, and the two generals had ample opportunity to transact 
their business, after which General Grant and his party returned 
to their boats. The general was pleased with his visit, and 
laughingly extended his hand to Herbert Splaine, saying : "Herbert, 
give my compliments to your brother, the colonel, and tell him 
that I say you are a good soldier. Good-day." 

The party consisted of General Grant, General Rawlins and 
other members of his staff, and one or two members of the cabinet. 



258 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Captain Smith and his sentry never tired of teUing the story 
of how they met General Grant, and it may be said that the Splaine 
family regard the episode as one well worth speaking of once in a 
while. 

February 9. Ninety-seven men arrived from the Second 
Heavy. Capts. James Splaine, Charles 0. Fellows and Thomas 
R. V. Keenan were mustered as captains this day. 

February 10. One hundred and fifty-five men arrived from 
the Second Heavy. 

February 14. Capt. William W. Smith became major, and 
First Lieutenants Moore, Webber and Cann became captains. 
Second Lieutenants Sillars and Hyde became first lieutenants, 
and James Stewart became first lieutenant and adjutant. Ser- 
geants Symonds, Roberts and Cotting became second lieutenants. 

February 15. The regiment has been organized up to and 
including Company H. Much time is now spent in looking after 
the interests of the newly-made and newly-arrived commissioned 
officers; but all the time of the commanding officer is not given 
them, for he spends much time watching company drills, instructing 
where he can. He is ably assisted by his officers, who are working 
all the time, and the men are not idle, for, scenting the coming 
struggle, they are up and doing. 

The visit of General Grant told its own story, and the Seven- 
teenth guessed that it meant business, and were preparing accord- 
ingly. They were right in their conclusions about the visit of 
the commander-in-chief, for just now (12 o'clock at midnight, 
March 1st) Colonel Splaine has received orders to take the field 
with his regiment. 

Poor Colonel Fellows, failing to muster, is preparing to go 
home to Massachusetts. 



LEAVING NEWPORT BARRACKS FOR THE FIELD. 

In obedience to the order received at 12 o'clock the night 
before, the Seventeenth Massachusetts broke camp on the morning 
of March 2, 1865, and reported to General Palmer, by telegraph, 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 259 

as ready to move. Orders were received to wait until the following 
morning, as all the trains were busy; but when the regiment did 
move, it was to report to General S. P. Carter. Here was a whole 
day's rest under arms, which enabled those so disposed to review 
the happenings of the two months just passed. 

Two months before the command was only a battalion of four 
companies. Now it was a regiment of eight full companies, and in 
fine condition for the coming campaign, in which it was now 
ordered to take part. 

It would perhaps be well to review here, briefly, some facts 
and incidents connected with the history of the old and new regi- 
ments. Colonel John F. Fellows, as is well known, was com- 
missioned by Governor Andrew to command the regiment, and 
an arrangement was made between the governor and the War 
Department to have transferred from the Second Massachusetts 
Heavy Artillery (Colonel Frankle's regiment), at Newbern, N. C, 
about 600 surplus men, to the Seventeenth Massachusetts, which 
number would have made the latter 1000 strong. The order from 
the War Department was issued, and transfers had begun. 

At this time a special order was issued by General Palmer 
that 150 of the surplus men should be retained in the Second Heavy 
to fill vacancies which 7night occur in the future; and later on issued 
an order retaining 50 more of the same regiment to fill the places 
of prisoners of war. These special orders were in direct violation 
of the arrangement between Governor Andrew and the War 
Department. 

Colonel Fellows was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the old 
regiment in August, 1861, and was the actual commander of it 
three-fourths of the time while he was with it. His service with 
his regiment, during two and a half years, were of such a high 
order as to command the admiration of all who knew him. He was 
taken prisoner at Batchelder's Creek on February 1, 1864, and was 
held by the enemy until August 2d of the same year. Governor 
Andrew knew Colonel Fellows personally and knew his worth. He 
trusted him in 1861, when he made him commander of the regi- 
ment. He trusted him again in 1865, when he commissioned him a 
full colonel of the regiment; and to further help Colonel Fellows, he 



260 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

prevailed upon the War Department to make the transfers of men 
referred to, in order to fill the regiment. 

Colonel Fellows was neither coward nor laggard. Had he 
been, he would not have been over-anxious to serve again after 
his sad experience in the rebel prison. Colonel Fellows was in- 
strumental in having the surplus men transferred from the Second 
Heavy, and the transfers made it possible for many of the officers 
of the Seventeenth to go up a grade in rank, and in some instances, 
two grades. Colonel Splaine and Captain Mullally were the only 
exceptions, their positions not being affected by the coming of 
the surplus men. 

Colonel Fellows was cheated out of the colonelcy of the Seven- 
teenth Massachusetts directly by the special orders of General 
Palmer to retain 200 of the surplus men in the Second Heavy to 
fill imaginary vacancies. What prompted General Palmer to take 
the stand he did against Colonel Fellows, no one knows today. It 
was evidently a conspiracy to keep Colonel Fellows out of the col- 
onelcy of the regiment, and whether it was General Palmer and 
Col. Jones Frankle of the Second Heavy or others, it was a 
mean, cruel and vindictive piece of trickery^unbecoming brave 
and patriotic officers. 

They cheated the man who was always at the front of his 
command, who w^as neglected and deserted in the Battle of Bat- 
chelder 's Creek, where he was taken prisoner. They cheated the 
man who was in a rebel dungeon for six months,andwhowasoneof 
the prominent Union officers chosen by the Confederates to be 
placed under fire of the Union batteries in Charleston, with the belief 
that the batteries would not fire because of their presence there. 
But the batteries did fire, and the firing only helped to fire the 
patriotism of the brave officers so exposed. 

They cheated the man who had been thus imprisoned, covered 
with filth and slowly starving to death. They cheated the man 
who, seeing his companions in prison without a cent of money 
among them, and no succor in sight, gave his note for $500 in gold, 
payable at any bank in Boston, in order to help his associates to 
get soap, towels, combs, brushes, food and clothing, in a word to 
save their lives. (That note was honored in Boston, at the instance 



THE NEW SEVENTEENTH. 261 

of George 0. Carpenter, and subsequently paid by Colonel Fel- 
lows.) 

The same General Palmer was now placed in command of all 
the Union troops in North Carolina, and, under General Schofield, 
was to open up communication with and supply General Sherman's 
army, after its memorable march through the South; but Palmer 
was so dilatory that he was superseded by General Cox of Ohio. 
But General Palmer and others were not a bit dilatory in cheating 
Colonel Fellows out of his well-earned colonelcy. 

The command Palmer was to have, was equal to that of any 
army corps, but now he was relegated to the command of a division. 
Yankee colonels were never favorites in North Carolina. If they 
had been. Colonel Thomas I. C. Amory would have come home a 
major-general and Colonel Fellows a brigadier. The officers who 
were favored there were Middle States men, men with no such 
high qualifications as were possessed by Amory and Fellows. 
Many of the Middle States men were advanced rapidly. 

Intrigue against Colonel Fellows was not a thing of recent 
origin. It had its birth in his own regiment, during the latter 
part of 1862 and the early part of 1863. A certain clique of officers 
of the Seventeenth, who were more ambitious for promotion than 
for a chance to meet the enemy, believing that Colonel Amory 
would soon become a brigadier, were on the lookout for coming 
honors; but when it became evident that Amory was being slighted, 
they found themselves in a quandary as to how their cherished 
hopes of promotion could be made to bear fruit. 

Their next plot was to drive Colonel Fellows out of the regi- 
ment. They tried to poison Colonel Amory 's mind against him, 
but that high-minded gentlemen would not entertain a single 
thought or feeling of ill-will against his worthy and tried Heutenant- 
colonel. They tried to poison Fellows' mind against Amory; but 
that true and loyal soldier, loyal always to his chief and his flag, 
could not be coaxed to do or say anything which could be con- 
strued into any act or speech resembling insubordination or disre- 
spect. 

They tried to poison the minds of officers of the regiment 
outside of their own clique against Fellows, but the majority of the 



262 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, 

officers knew their places too well, and could not be seduced from 
their loyalty to both Amory and Fellows, who were the lawful 
commanders of the regiment. If Fellows could have been dis- 
posed of, a certain field officer would become lieutenant-colonel, 
and a certain captain would have become major. 

Now to resume our narrative : 

On March 3, 1865, no better off in the matter of transporta- 
tion than the day before, the regiment still waited. Late in the 
afternoon, however, it was learned that a train was being sent 
down from Newbern for its transportation. The train came, and 
just after midnight the command rolled away from Newport 
Barracks, leaving poor Colonel Fellows standing on the platform, 
waving his hat in farewell to his old associates in arms. It was an 
affectionate, but a sad, parting. There he was left alone to make 
his way to Chelsea, Mass., as best he could. 

The following letter from Major-General J. G. Foster, com- 
manding the Department of the South, shows unmistakably the 
high esteem in which Colonel Fellows was held by the predecessor 
of General Palmer, in command of the Department of North 
Carolina. 

Headquarters, 
Department of the South, 
Hilton Head, S. C, December 23, 1864. 
J. F. Fellows, Esq., 

Late Lt. Col. 17th Mass. Vols. Boston, Mass. 
My Dear Sir: 

Your communication of the 2d inst., requesting a recommenda- 
tion for a position in Maj.-Gen. Hancock's new veteran corps, is 
received, 

I most cheerfully recommend you for an appointment in said 
corps. While serving with me in North Carolina, I always found 
you an able, efficient and brave officer. I consider you perfectly 
competent for the command of any regiment, and believe you 
could induce many of your old regiment to re-enlist under you if 
you should succeed in obtaining the appointment. 
Respectfully yours, 

J. G. Foster, Maj. Gen. Commdg. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Roster of Field, Staff, Non-Commissioned Staff, Company 
Officers and Enlisted Men of the Reorganized Seven- 
teenth Regiment, Massachusetts Veteran Volunteer 
Infantry. 

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 

vlf^' R^ttnM^n • M. O.— Mustered out 

Com7?foSs°ioned no. fur. rec-No further record 

Co_-^ompany ^p^glL-y^re^^^*"" 

rbir°D=My ?ec.--lerm^lded 

dS\'-d" harS ,e-enUst.-Re-enUsted 

Exp.-Exp.ation ^^S^.. 

L^^WSfrX^'*'""^ ^^b:=IXtftute 

WnT^HosStal transf.-Transferred 

InT-InSX vols.-Volunteers 

Reorganized Field and Staff and Non-Commissioned Staff 

name rank age. date of enrollment. residence or credit. 

Thomas L C. Amory, Colonel; 36; July 1, '64; Boston; d. October 7,'64, at Beaufort. N.C. 

of yellow fever; brevetted brigadier-general. 
John F Fellows, Colonel; October 9, '64; Chelsea; not mustered. 
Henry Splaine, Colonel; 27; June 16, '65; Haverhill; not mustered as Colonel. 
Henry Splaine, Lt.-Col; 27; Aug. 10, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William W. Smith, Lt.-Col.; 27; June 16, '65; Danvers; M. O. as Major. 
Henry Splaine, Major; 27; Aug 4, '64; Haverhill; pro. Lt.-Col. Aug. 10, '64. 
William W. Smith, Major; 27; Aug. 4, '64; Danvers: M. O. July 11, '65. 
John E. Mullally, Major; 26; June 16, '65; So. Danvers; M. O. as Captam. 
Daniel S. Allen, Surgeon; 46; Feb. 20, '65; Gloucester; M. O. July 11- '65- 
GeorgeW.Clark,Asst.Surgeon;29;July3,'63;Boston;dismissedDec.23, 64. 

Joseph A. Moore, 1st Lt. and Adjt.; 21 ; Jan., '65; Gloucester; pro. Captam, assigned to Co. B. 

James H. Stuart, 1st Lt. and Adjt.; 29; Mar. 4, '65; Boston; M. O. July 11. 65. 

Henry B. Webber, Rgtl. Qm.; 29; Aug. 3, '64; Haverhill; pro. Captam Mar. 4, 65; assigned 

Horace^DextS; Regtl. Qm.; 38; Feb. 1. '65; Cambridge; M. O. July 11, '65; commissioned 

Captain June 16, '65. , x t ^ n^r i, o -ck 

James H. Stuart, Sgt. Major; 28; July 1, '64; Boston; disch. for pro. to 1st Lt. March 3, 65. 
Malcolm SiUars. Qm. Sgt.: 27; Jan. 5, '64; Danvers; disch. forpro. 2d Lt. July 4. 64. 

[263] 



264 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

George W. Hewes, Qm. Segt.; 28; Sept. 1, '64; Haverhill; commissioned 2d Lt. July 16, '65; 

M.O.July 11, '65. 
Henry B. Webber, Com. Sgt.; 28; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; pro. 1st Lt. and Qm. Aug. 15, '64. 
Edwin A. Moulton, Com. Sgt.; 25; Mar. 1, '65; Salisbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Edward P. Cotting, Hospl. Steward; 25; Aug. 3, '63; Worcester; pro. 2d Lt. March 3, '65; 

assigned to Co. C. 
Algernon S. Nichols, Hospl. Steward; 18; Mar. 4, '65; West Cambridge; M. O. July 11, '65. 
George E. Moore, Prin. Musician; 27; Apr. 1, '65; Shutesbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 



Company ''A", New Organization 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Henry Splaine, Captain; 25; Jan. 31, '62;Haverhill; pro. Major Aug. 4, '64. 

James Splaine, Captain; 24; Feb. 9, '65; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 

James Splaine 1st Lt. ; 22; Dec. 24, '62; Haverhill; pro. Captain Feb. 9, '65. 

Malcolm Sillars, 1st Lt.; 26; March 4, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Thomas F. Newton, 1st Lt.; 34; July 3, '62; Haverhill; transf. to New Co. B; transf. to 

N. C. Union Volunteers. 
Joseph A. Moore, 2d Lt.; 20; July 22, '63; Gloucester; pro. 1st Lt. Aug. 30, '64; transf. to 

new Co. C. 
Henry G. Hyde, 2d Lt.; 22; Sept. 1, '64; Danvers; pro. 1st Lt. Mar. 4, '65; transf. to Co. E. 
Eben Symonds, 1st Sgt.; 22; Dec. 5, '63; Maiden; commissioned 2d Lt. Mar. 3, '65. 
Thomas A. Murray, 1st Sgt.; 20; Jan. 2, '64; Newburyport; commissioned 2d Lt. June 1, '65; 

M. O. as Sgt. July 11, '65. 
Elisha Young, Sgt.; 34; Jan. 1, '64; Newburyport; disch for disiability June 29, '65. 
Andrew J. Til ton, Sgt.; 23; .Jan. 5, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Andrew Templeton, Sgt., 21; Jan. 4, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Cowan, Sgt.; 21 ; Jan. 4, '64; Salisbury; transf. to Co. D. 
Areatus H. Dillingham, Sgt.; 31; Jan. 1, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Dunn, Sgt.; 32; Jan. 5, '64; Newburyport; commissioned 2d Lt. June 1, '65; d. June 3, 

'65. 
Patrick H. Donovan, Corp.; 21; Jan. 4, '64; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65. 
TaylorJ. Valler, Corp.;23;Feb. 13, '64; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Daniel Lynch, Corp.; 22; Jan. 5, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Albert J. Cook, Corp.; 23; Jan. 5, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William W. Marshall, Corp.; 25; Jan. 1, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Albert F. Austin, Corp.; 24; Jan. 4, '64; Newburyport; transf. to Co. D. 
Joseph W. Haynes, Corp.; 26; Jan. 5, '64; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Roland F. Lewis, Corp. ; 2 1 ; Jan. 5, '64 ; Salem ; M. O. July 1 1 , '65. 
Andrew P. Lewis, Corp.; 21 ; Jan. 4, '64; Newburyport; transf. to Co. F. 
Randall P. Newman, Corp.; 21; Dec. 5, '63; Haverhill; M. O.July 11, '65. 
Charles E. Batchelder, Musician; 21; Jan. 1. '64; Wenham; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Dennis Dwyer, Musician; 23; Jan. 1, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Edward G. Boyle, Musician; 21 ; Feb. 14, '64; Boston; transf. to Co. D, Mar. 6, '65. 
George A. Johnson, Musician; 20; Jan. 1, '64; Maiden; transf. to Co. D, Mar. 26, '65. 
Thomas Ahern, Private; 29; Jan. 4, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Charles Ames, Private; 38; Feb. 13, '64; Charlestown; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Henry Bell, Private; 26; Jan. 5, '64; Brookline; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Lewis F. Besse, Private; 38; Jan. 4, '64; No. Chelsea; transf. to Co. F. 
Henry A. W. Blackburn, Private; 18; July 16, '64; Faxton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. July 27, '65. "" 

Charier H. Blake, Private; 20; Jan. 5, '64; Salisbury; disch. July 25, '65. 



COMPANY A, NEW ORGANIZATION. 265 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John B. Blodgett, Private; 24; Jan. 5, '64; Sturb ridge; transf. to Co. B. 

Charles S. Bolton Private; 25; Feb. 29, '64; Boston ; wounded Mar. 8, '65; M. O. July 11. '65. 

Patrick Bohan, Private; 26; Jan. 15, '64; Lynn; transf. to Co. B. 

Charles H. Brackett, Private; 18; Feb. 9, '65; Lynn; M. O. July II, '65. 

Addison Bricket, Private; 22; Sept. 20, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 

Francis Buckley, Private; 24; Sept, 5, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 2d 

Regt. H. Art. 
John Burke, Private; 37; Jan. 5, '64; Newburyport; disch. for disability Feb. 25, '65. 
John Bushman, Private; 21; Feb. 13, '65; Worcester; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Andrew Byer, Private; 19; July 19, '64; Milton; transf. from 2d H. Art.; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Daniel Callahan, Private; 25; Aug. 5, '64; Grafton; disch. June 12, '65; transf. from 2d 

H. Art. 
Timothy Calnan, Private; 19; Aug. 18, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d H. Art.; M. O. July 11, 

'65. 
JamesF. Casey, Private; 21; Sept. 10, '64; Lawrence; transf. from 2d H. Art.; M. O.Julyl,'65. 
Henry Chase, Private; 26; Dc. 3, '63; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Henry Clark, Private; 27; July 25, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d H. Art.; M. O. July 11, '65. 
George I. Clapp, Private; 20; Jan. 4, '64; Chelsea; disch. July 25, '65. 
Levi F. Colbath, Private; 29; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; disch. July 12, '65. 
David Cole, Private; 28; Jan. 5, '64; Chelsea; transf. to Co. B. 

JohnConboy, Private; 21; Jan. 25, '64; Lynn; pris. of war Mar. 10, '65; disch. June 17, '65. 
Edward Conley, Private; 40; Aug. 25, '64; Milford; disch. July 27, '65; transf. from 2d 

H. Art. 
Timothy Connelly, Private; 23; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July II, '65. 
Charles A. Corey, Private; 21; Aug. 19, '64; Great Barrington; transf. from 2d H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Frank Croston, Private; 25; Sept. 5, '64; Bradford; transf. from 2d Rgt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Thomas Curtin, Private; 26; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; d. June 6, '65, at Greensboro, N. C. 
James L. Dale, Private; 23; Jan. 4, '64; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Jesse L. Dame, Private; 21; Jan. 1, '64; Beverly; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Dane, Private; 24; Feb. 13, '64; Medford; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Davidson, Private; 19; Dec. 28, '63; Wenham; transf. to Co. E. 
Charles H. Davis, Private; 19; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William L. Davis, Private; 41; Mar. 14, '64; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Charles Donahue, Private; 20; Sept. I, '64; Townsend; transf. from 2d H. Art.; M. O, 

July 11, '65. 
Michael Dooley, Private; 41; Jan. 1, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Doonin, Private; 31; Jan. 5, '64; Georgetown; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Daniel J. Dwyer, Private; 23; Jan. 1, '64; Newburj^port; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Frederick Eaton, Private; 30; Jan. 2, '64; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Ellis, Private; 21; Jan. 25, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Fahey, Private; 45; Feb. 1, '64; Lynn; transf. to Co. B. 
Thomas, Farrell, Private; 42; Sept. 7, '64; Great Barrington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art.;M. O.July 11, '65. 
James Finn, Private; 31; Jan. 5, '64; Rockport; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Henry A. Flanders, Private; 20; Feb. 16, '64; Lynn; pris. Mar. 10, '65; disch. June 5, '65. 
Samuel J. Ford, Private; 21; Jan. 4, '64; Boston; transf. to Co. E. 
Hiram S. Foss, Private; 20; Aug. 25, '64; Lowell; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July II, '65. 
Albert Gale, Private; 22; Feb. 29, '64; Haverhill; disch. July 22, '65. 
William Gannon, Private; 21; Jan. 1, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
George A. Gardner, Private; 18; Sept. 2, '64; Dighton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M. O. July 11, '65. 



266 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Dennis Gleason, Private; 20; Sept. 6, '64; Tewksbury; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M. O. July 11, '65. 
John F. Glynn, Private; 31; Aug. 25, '64; Lowell; M. O. July 11, '65; transf. from 2d Regt. 

H. Art. 
Charles H. Gove, Private; 21; Dec. 28, '63; Rockport; d. Sept. 29, '64, at Newbern, N. C, 
John C. Grover, Private; 20; Dec. 28, '63; Melrose; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Stephen S. Hall, Private; 29; June 3, '64; Upton; transf. to Co. C. 
George W. Herrick, Private; 44; Sept. 5, '64; Milford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

killed in action Mar. 8, '65, Kinston, N. C. 
George W. Hewes, Private; 27; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; transf. to N.C. S.Qm. Sgt.,Sept.l,'64. 
Jeremiah B. Hill, Private; 42; Dec. 27, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Richard Higston, Private; 45; Jan. 15, '64; Lynn; transf. to Co. B. 
Benjamin Huddle, Private; 19; Jan. 1, '64; Salem; disch. Aug. 9, '65. 
John H. Ingersoll, Private; 21; Dec. 30, '63; Gloucester; disch. July 24, '65. 
Edwin Janes, Piivate; 22; Jan. 5, '64; Salem; disch. June 5, '65. 
William Jones, Private; 24; Aug. 18, '64; West Cambridge; transf. from 2d H. Art.; 

disch. July 24, '65. 
George M. Keen, Private; 21; Jan. 4, '64: Medford; transf. to Co. E. 
Packard Kennedy, Private; 29; Jan. 4, '64; Georgetown; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Samuel Kezar, Private; 37; Jan. 5, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Joseph W. Lawton, Private; 34; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Simon L. Lee, Private; 27; Aug. 18, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d H. Art.; transf. to Co. H. 
George H. Lewis, Private; 20; Jan. 4, '64; Medford; d. May 12, '65, at Raleigh, N. C. 
John Lynch, Private; 41; Jan. 4, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James I. Marshall, Private; 20; Jan. 1, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Masterson, Private; 30; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Dennis McCarty, Private; 27; Jan. 5, '64; Boston; d. Sept. 29, '64, at Newbern, N. C. 
Patrick McCarty, Private; 21 ; Dec. 12, '63; Boston; deserted Nov. 10, '64, while on furlough, 
Jesse McLoud, Private; 21; Jan. 4, '64; Rockport; disch. July 27, '65. 
Owen McGauley, Private; 27; Dec. 11, '63; Georgetown; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas McGrath, Private; 20; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Timothy Meaney, Private; 31; Mar. 30, '64; Abington; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Benjamin Nolan, Private; 19; Jan. 19, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Hiram C. Norcross, Private; 21; Jan. 4, '64; Manchester; M. O.July 11, '65. 
Thomas Noyes, Private; 18; Feb. 24, '65; Newbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James O'Connell, Private; 27; Sept. 6, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d H. Art.; d. of 

wounds at Newbern, N. C, Apr. 8, '65. 
Charles P. Ordway, Private; 23; Jan. 4, '64; East Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Francis Peabody, Private; 21; Jan. 4, '64; Boston; d. Oct. 3, '64, at Newbern, N. C. 
Joseph Perkins, Private; 23; Jan. 4, '64; Newbury; pris. of war Mar. 8, '65; disch. July 19, '65. 
Richard Putrill, Private; 20; Jan. 2, '64; Newburyport; transf. to Co. F. 
Alfred Putnam, Private; 28; Sept. 6, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 
George B. Reed, Private; 18; Jan. 15, '64; Lynn; Transf. to Co. B. 
John Reeves, Private; 24; Dec. 30, '63; Rockport; disch. June 30, '65. 
Albert Remington, Private; 22; Jan. 5, '64; Sturbridge; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John P. Richardson, Private; 22; Jan. 5, '64; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Henry Rivers, Private; 27; Dec. 5, '63; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Benjamin P. Rogers, Private; 20; Jan. 1, '64; Newbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Silas H. Rogers, Private; 35; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Ezra Rumney, Private; 30; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d H.Art.M.O. Julyll,'65. 
Benjamin A. Sargent, Private; 26; Feb. 29, '64; Haverhill; transf. to Co. F. 
Llewelln Sawyer, Private; 25; Feb. 13, '64; Hubbardston; disch. July 24, '65. 
Thomas B. Simonds, Private; 20; Sept. 20, '64; Haverhill; transf. to Co. F. 
John S. Smith, Private; 46; Feb. 11, '64; Taunton; M. O. July 11, '65. 



COMPANY B, NEW ORGANIZATION. 267 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Herbert Splaine, Private; 39; Sept. 13, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 

Moses N. Stanley, Private; 33; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Michael Sullivan, Private: 31 ; Jan. 4, '64; Newburyport; transf. to Co. F. 

Henry Thomas Taylor, Private; 24; Dec. 4, '64; Rockport; disch. June 23, '65. 

Alphonso W. Thorns, Private; 19; Oct. 8, '61; Boston; disch. expiration of term Oct. 7, '64. 

Martin Watson, Private; 20; Jan. 1, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Francis Whittier, Private; 18; Dec. 17, '63; Haverhill; disch. July 22, '65. 

Byron A. Woodbury, Private; 25; Jan. 1, '64; Gloucester; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Feb. 

1, '64; No. of grave, 6483. 
Miles Woodman, Private; 42; Nov. 14, '61; Boston; transf. to Co. D. 
Caleb S. Woodwell, Private; 25; Dec. 14, '63; Newburyport; M. O. Aug. 11, '65. 
Francis B. Wyman, Private; 23; Jan. 19, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Andrew Andrews, Private; 22; Dec. 10, '64; Newport, N. C; M. O. July '65, Colored Under 

Cook. 
George Andrews, Private; 39; Dec. 16, '64; Newport, N. C; M. O. July 11, '65, Colored Under 

Cook. 



Company "B", New Organization 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

William W. Smith, Captain; 24; July 5. '63; Danvers; promoted maj.; transf. to Field'and 
Staff. .^ 

Joseph A. Moore, Captain; 21 ; Mar. 4, '65; Gloucester; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Thomas F. Newton, 1st Lt.; 33; Aug. 14, '62; Haverhill; M. O. for promotion Nov. 18, '64, 
N. C. Vols. 

Horace Dexter, 1st. Lt.; 38; Jan. 19, '65; Cambridge; transf. to Field and Staff as Regtl. 
Quartermaster. 

James M. Stuart, 1st Lt.; 29; Mar. 4, '65; Boston; transf. to Field and Staff as Adjutant. 

Henry G. Hyde, 1st Lt.; 22; Mar. 4, '65; Danvers; transf. to Co. E. La H H 

Lewis Cann, 2d Lt. ; 23 ; Apr. 26, '63 ; Danvers ; pro. 1st Lt. ; transf. to Co. D. ~ ^ 

Orrin B. Cooley, 2d Lt.; 39; Feb. 7, '65; Longmeadow; M. O. July 11, '65 as 2d Lt.; com- 
missioned 1st Lt. June 30, '65. 

James Smith, 1st Sgt.; Mar. 25, '64; Danvers; pro. 2d Lt. Sept. 19, '64; transf. to Co. H. 

Robert Smith, 1st Sgt.; 20; Jan. 6, '64; Danvers; pro. 2d Lt.; transf. to Co. G. 

Thomas Cochran, Sgt.; 21; Jan. 1, '64; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Richard W. Fuller, Sgt.; 21; Dec. 8, '63; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Timothy W. Hawkes, Sgt.; 26; Jan. 6, '64; Danvers; transf. to Co. D, Dec. 28, '64. 

Joseph G. Martin, Sgt.; 37; Feb. 29, '64; Danvers; transf. to Co. G, Mar. 4, '65. 

John R. Nelson, Sgt.; 21; Dec. 24, '63; Foxboro; M. O. July 11, '65. 

John F. Wells, Sgt.; 26; Jan. 2, '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Thomas S. Clymonts, Corp.; 21; Dec. 5, '63; New Bedford; transf. to Co. H., Mar. 4, '65. 

Joseph Cooper, Corp.; 42; Feb. 17, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Solomon Martin, Corp.; 20; Jan. 5, '64; Newburyport; transf. to Co. D, Dec. 28, '64. 

Charies F. Meader, Corp.; 21; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; transf. to Co. H, Mar. 4, '65. 

Joseph E. Mills, Corp.; 20; Dec. 4, '63; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Jonas S. Monroe, Corp.; 32; Feb. 22, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 

John B. Moores, Corp.; 28; Jan. 5, '64; Danvers; transf. to Co. G, Mar. 4, '65. 

Fred A. Nourse, Corp.; 22; Jan. 14, '62; Marblehead; pro. Capt. 1st N. C. Colored'U. Vols. 
Sept. 19, '64. 

William H. Ogden, Corp.; 23; Jan. 1, '64; Danvers; transf. to Co. G. 

William Pollett, Corp.; 21; Dec. 29, '63; Fall River; transf. to Co. H. 



268 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Thomas Ray, Corp.; 28; Feb. 9, '64; Fall River; killed in action Mar. 8, '65, Kinston, N. C. 

Patrick Sexton, Corp.; 22; Jan. 2, '64; Dan vers; transf. to Co. C. 

Jacob Schanks, Corp.; 22;'Dec. 5. '63; Ipswich; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Simon Steele, Corp.; 21; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; disch. July 29, '65. 

Aaron Warhurst, Corp.; 30; Dec. 23, '63; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Charles F. Wells, Corp.; 20; Feb. 18, '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Abel R. Wilson, Corp.; 21; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 

John C. Kinsman, Corp.; 29; Dec. 4, '63; Boston; deserted Nov. 9, '64. 

Henry Foster,_ Musician; 18; Feb. 19, '64; Cambridge; transf. to Co. H. 

Hiram T. Foster, Musician; 20; Dec. 10, '63; Cambridge; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Charles Hartman, Musician; 20; Jan. 4, '64; Danvers; transf. to Co. H. 

George C. Wilson, Musician; 20; Jan. 4, '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 

George Austin, Private; 42; Sept. 3, '64; Taunton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Bailey, Private; 21; Aug. 8, '64; Orange; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 21, '65. 
Horace Baldwin, Private; 44; Jan. 5, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Abraham Barrett, Private; 26; Jan. 4, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John B. Blodgett, Private; 24; Jan. 5, '64; Sturbridge; d. Feb. 25, '65, at Newbem, N. C. 
Patrick Bohan, Private; 24; Jan. 15, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Frank Brady, Private; 20; Dec. 9, '63; Lawrence; deserted July, '64. 
Patrick Buckley, Private; 24; Mar. 6, '65; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Edward R. Bugbee, Private; 29; Sept. 10, '64; HoUiston; transf. from 2d Regt.' H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Patrick Burke, Private; 30; Feb. 29, '64; Fall River; M. O. .luly 11, '65. 
Thomas Burke, Private; 24; Dec. 13, '63; Haverhill; deserted Mar. 30, '65. 
William Byrne, Private; 24; Feb. 13, '64; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William Chambers, Private; 26; Dec. 4, '63; Chelsea; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James N. Chase, Private; 27; Sept. 17, '64; Shrewsbury; transf. 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charles A. Cheever, Private; 38; Jan. 18, '64; Lynn; transf. to Co. H. 
Philo Clark, Private; 39; Feb. 4, '65; Huntington; M. O. July 11, '65. 
David Cole, Private; 28; Jan. 5, '64; Chelsea; disch. June 26, '65. 
Joseph H. Coley. Private; 20; Dec. 5, '63; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William R. Crawford, Private; 21; Dec. 10, '63; Danvers; deserted Nov. 16, '64. 
William Crockett, Private; 25; Jan. 4, '65; Springfield; deserted June 30, '65. 
William H. Cruse, Private; 27; Dec. 7, '63; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John L. Cunningham, Private; 38; Jan. 4, '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Joseph F. Dakin, Private; 29; Jan. 1, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Richard Davis, Private; 22; Aug. 22, '64; Easthampton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M.O.July 11, '65. 
George H. Dole, Private; 30; Dec. 1, '63; D.anvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Fahey, Private; 45; Feb. 1, '64; Lynn; d. June 28, '65, at Greensboro, N. C. 
George Fish, Private; 45; Jan. 5, '64; Holliston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Patrick Gaynor, Private; 32; Dec. 30, '63; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 
WiUiam E. Gilman, Private; 33; 1,'64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
David Gleason, Private; 43; Feb. 16, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James Gleason, Private; 21; Dec. 28, '63; Fall River; deserted Nov. 9, '64. 
Joseph Godfrey, Private; 22; Dec. 23, '63; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Aaron Guilford, Private; 25; Dec. 15, '63; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Horace Hamblet, Private; 21; Aug. 1, '64; Newburyport; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M.O.July 11, '65. 
John Haskins, Private; 45; Dec. 26, '63; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 



COMPANY B, NEW ORGANIZATION. 269 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Thomas Henry, Private; 20; Aug. 16, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Thomas Hessan, Private; 35; Dec. 28, '63; Salisbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Hickey, Private; 21; Feb. 15, '65; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Patrick Hill, Private; 22; Feb. 13, '64; Lawrence; d. May 5, '65, at Beaufort, N. C. 
Richard Higston, Private; 45; Jan. 15, '64; Lynn; d. June 6, '65, at Greensboro, N. C. 
Sewall B. Holbrook, Private; 20; July 5, '64; Milford; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James W. Hurd, Private; 27; Sept. 7, '64; Wobum; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
George C. Irish, Private; 26; Dec. 2, '63; Gloucester; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James H. Kiely, Private; 20; Jan. 1, '64; Marblehead; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William H. Lane, Private; 21; Sept. 6, '64; Southampton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

transf. to Co. D. 
James Lee, Private; 28; Sept. 9, '64; Danvers; transf. from 2d Regt. H._Art; disch. 

Jime 30, '65. 
John Lee, Private; 22; Mar. 12, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Leonard, Private; 35; Feb. 2, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Long, Private; 23; Dec. 27, '63; Blackstone; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Michael Lynch, Private; IS; Nov. 26, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas McDermott, Private; 30; Jan. 2, '64; Chelmsford; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Charies H. Mclntire, Private; 21; Feb. 27, '65; Salem ; deserted June 19, '65. 
Philip McMahon, Private; 31; Jan. 26, '64; Melro.se; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Luther Moritz, Private; 25; Jan. 4, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Andrew Millan, Private; 26; Jan. 1, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 

(also known as Mullen.) 
James B. Murphy, Private; 20; Sept. 2, '64; Milton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Thomas Murphy, Private; 25; July 6, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William Norris, Private; 35; Dec. 26, '63; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Maurice O'Riley, Private; 24; Dec. 26, '63; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Oliver Parker, Private; 22; Dec. 15, '63; So. Danvers; d. Oct. 3, '64, at Newbem, N. C. 
Henry Parks, Private; 23; Jan. 18, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 16, '65. 
James M. Patterson, Private; 41; Dec. 11, '63; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
David Pettingill, Private; 35; Sept. 24, '64; Hingham; disch. June 30, '65. 
George Pitman, Private; 36; Feb. 15, '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Nathaniel A. Pope, Private; 23; Oct. 19, '64; Roxbury; transf. to Co. D. 
Sylvester Powell, Private; 27; Jan. 19, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Frank Powers, Private; 22; Feb. 11, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Purtill, Private; 42; Dec. 10, '63; Newburyport; M. O. July 17, '65. 
Joseph Quinn, Private; 20; Jan. 5, '64; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65. 
George B. Reed, Private; 18; Jan. 15, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Albert Remington, Private; 22; Jan. 5, '64; Sturbridge; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James Riley, Private; 27; Dec. 27, '63; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas A. Rogers, Private; 23; Jan. 1, '64; Marblehead; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Joseph Roland, Private; 37; Jan. 6, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65 
William B. Sargent, Private; 39; Jan. 1, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Joseph E. Smith, Private; 39; Jan. 1, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Allen Soper, Private; 31; Feb. 25, '65; Marblehead; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Simon S. Steele, Private; 19; Jan. 4, '64; Haverhill; disch. July 29, '65. 
James P. Stevens, Private; 30; Jan. 5, '65; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Bartholomew SulHvan, Private; 25; Jan. 1, '64; Lynnfield; M. O. July 11, ['65. 
Philip Sullivan, Private; 22; Sept. 23, '64; Danvers; disch. June 30, '65. 
Ezra Tennant, Private; 22; Oct. 27, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65 
John Thedford, Private; 37; Mar. 9, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 



270 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OH CREDIT. 

Charles A. Thresher, Private; 20; Dec. 22, '63; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Wilbur Whiton, Private; 27; Jan. 24, '65; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 

George H. Whittemore, Private; 21; Nov. 12, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 

William Wilson, Private; 25; Mar. 12, '64; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 

John S. Winslow, Private; 28; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Willard Winslow, Private; 24; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; disch. June 15, '65. 

Hugh Young, Private; 23; Feb. 22, '64; Hopkinton; M. O. July 11, '65. 



Company "C", New Organization 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John E. Mullally, Captain; 24; Dec. 29, '63; So. Danvers; commissioned Major, June 16, '65; 

M. O. as Captain July 11, '65. 
Joseph A. Moore, 1st Lt.; 21; Aug. 30, '64; Gloucester; appointed Adjt. Jan. 3, '65; transf. 

to Field and Staff. 
Malcolm Sillars, 2d Lt.; 26; July 22, '64; So. Danvers; pro. 1st Lt. March 4, '65; transf. to 

Co. H. 
Edward P. Cotting, 2d. Lt.; 27; March. 4, '65; Worcester; commissioned 1st Lt. June 16, 

'65; M. O. as 2d Lt. July 11, '65. 
Uriah Robertson, 1st Sgt.; 28; Jan. 5, '64; Danvers; pro. 2d Lt. Mar. 4, '64; transf. to Co. H. 
Henry G. Hyde, 1st Sgt.; 21; Feb. 29, '64; Danvers; pro. 2d Lt. Sept. 1, '64; transf. to Co. H. 
Brotherton Martin, 1st Sgt.; 23; Dec. 5, '64; Newburyport; com. 2d Lt. June 1, '65; M. O. 

as 1st Sgt. July 11, '65. 
Levi Cox, Sgt.; 39; Dec. 19, '63; Maiden; d. Nov. 7, '64 while on furlough in Mass. 
George Elwell, Sgt.; 33; Jan. 1, '64; Rockport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Dominick Kenny, Sgt.; 31; Jan. 4, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
PatrickMoloney, Sgt.;26; Jan. 1, '64; Stoneham; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Edwin A. Moulton, Sgt.; 23; Jan. 4, '64; Amesbury; transf. to N. C. S. as Commissary Sgt. 
Ariel S. Noyes, Sgt.; 34; Feb. 16, '64; Haverhill; wounded Mar. 8, '65; disch. June 21, '65. 
Charles E. Barry, Corp.; 20; Dec. 15, '63; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Henry A. Cook, Corp.; 21; Dec. 30, '63; Gloucester; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William H. Davis, Corp.; 26; Dec. 27, '63; Rockport; transf. to Co. F. 
Patrick Fallon, Corp.; 24; Mar. 14, '64; Quincy; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Graham, Corp.; 31; Feb. 10, '62; Chelsea; transf. to Co. D. 
Frank McLaughlin, Corp.; 21; Sept. 16,'64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 
John McGlinchy, Corp.; 30; Dec. 7, '63; Boston; disch. Aug. 10, '65. 
John F. Mills, Corp.; 25; Jan. 1, '64; Bradford; transf. to Co. D. 
Patrick Nalty, Corp.; 21 ; Jan. 5, '64; West Newbury; transf. to Co. D. 
George Pitman, Jr., Corp.; 20; Feb. 26, '64; Danvers; disch. June 28, '65. 
Henry B. Skinner, Corp.; 21; Jan. 4, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Peter J. Soley, Corp.; 25; Jan. 2, '64; Haverhill; deserted Nov. 10, '64. 
Joseph A. Welch, Corp.; 24; Jan. 4, '64; Haverhill; transf. to Co. D. 
Charles M. Woodbury, Corp.; 22; Dec. 12, '63; So. Danvers; d. June 8, '65 in McDougal 

Hosp'l, New York City. 
Thomas Hancock, Musician; 21 ; Feb. 15, '64; Chelsea; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Samuel E. Tucker, Musician; 18; Jan. 5, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Acton, Private; 30; Dec. 25, '63; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Charles F. Blaisdell, Private; 24; Feb. 28, '64; Wobum; d. of wounds Mar. 14, '65, at New- 

bem, N. C. 
Michael Brannigan, Private; 20; Dec. 12, '63; Wobum; d. at Andersonville, Ga., July 19, 

•64;No. ofgr. 3587. 



COMPANY C, NEW ORGANIZATION. 271 



NAME. HANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. KESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John Brown, Private; 40; Sept. 2, '64; Hawley; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; diach. June 

30, '65. 
Nicholas Brown, Private; 24; Nov. 15, '64; Lynn; transf. to Co. D. 
Warren A. Burpee, Private; 30; Dec. 29, '63; Gloucester; disch. June 30, '65. 
James A. Byrne, Private; 37; Dec. 11, '63; Dan vers; lost at sea, June 7, '65. 
Thomas Caine, Private; 33; Feb. 25, '64; Amesbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Lawrence Call, Private; 21; Oct. 8, '64; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Dennis Cashman, Private; 18; Jan. 18, '64; Dan vers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Paul Chagnette, Private; 28; Sept. 9, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 
John Coffey, Private; 21; Sept. 17, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 
George W. Coleman, Private; 25; Nov. 10, '63; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Conboy, Private; 21; Aug. 22, '64; Roxbury; disch. June 30, '65. 
Cyrus W. Crocker Private; 35; Sept. 20, '64; Haverhill; disch. June30, '65. 
James Cunningham, Private; 35; Jan. 12, '65; Taunton; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Curran, Private; 23; Oct. 10, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Michael Curtin, Private; 23; July 29, '64; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Theodore Curtis, Private; 30; Dec. 3, '63; Saugus; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William D. Curtis, Private; 18; Dec. 3, '63; Saugus; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Dailey, Private; 21; July 23, '64; Chelsea; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. . 

July 11, '65. 
Caleb Davis, 3d, Private; 21; Sept. 19, '64; Lowell; disch. June 30, '65. 
Charies H. Davis, Private; 21 ; Feb. 2, '64; Andover; disch. June 30, '65. 
Henry M. Derx, Private; 19; Dec. 26, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Peter Devine, Private; 18; Nov. 17, '63; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William Doody, Private; 25; Aug. 17, '64; Lawrence; disch. June 30, '65. 
William H. Eaton, Private; 18; Jan. 13, ' 64; Lynn; disch. July 29, '65. 
William Ellison, Private; 22; Jan. 4, '62; Saugus; disch. Jan. 4, '65; expir. of term. 
Martin Fallon, Private; 39; Sept. 3, '64; Newburyport; disch. June 30, '65. 
George W. Flint, Private; 18; Dec. 31, '63; So. Danvers; disch. June 7, '65. 
Warren A. Flint, Private; 44; Dec. 31, '63; So. Danvers; disch. June 17, '65. 
Enos Floyd, Private; 43; Sept. 3, '64; Newburyport; disch. June 30, '65. 
Daniel Flye, Private; 23; Feb. 13, '64; Saugus; d. July 6, '65, at Raleigh, N. C. 
Lawrence Fox, Private; 43; Oct. 15, '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Fraher, Private; 25; Dec. 29, '63; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
TownsendP. George, Private; 21; July 26, '64; Haverhill; M. O.July 11, '65. 
Peter Godfrey, Private; 27; April 12, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Joshua Grant, Private; 34; Sept. 26, '64; Amesbury; disch. June 30, '65. 
William Green, Private; 19; Feb. 14, '65; Mendon; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Stephen S. Hall, Private; 29; June 30, '64; Uptom; disch. July 24, '65. 
John Harkins, Jr., Private; 18; Oct. 26, '64; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Hart, Private; 20; Jan. 5, '64; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Alfred Hopkirk, Private; 23; Dec. 1, '63; Wenham; d. Oct. 1, '64, while on veteran furlough. 
William Howard, Private; 21; Sept. 24, '64; East Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Hawks, Private; 21; Aug. 13, '64; Newburyport; disch. June 30, '65. 
Nelson Hughes, Private; 21; Aug. 9, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Albert Jeffers, Private; 42; Jan. 13, '64; Lynn; disch. July 25, '65. 
George W. Jeffers, Private; 18; Jan. 13, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
WilliamH. Jeffers, Private; 20; Jan. 13, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Kelly, Private; 25; Feb. 10, '62; Roxbury; disch. Feb. 10, '65; expir. of term. 
Thomas J. Kelley, Private; 32; Nov. 20, '63; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William W. Kenney, Private; 35; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; M. O. JuUy 11, '65. 
John Kirby, Private; 19; Sept. 3, '64; Taunton; transf. from 2d Regt H. Art. disch. July 

27, '65. 



272 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. BANK. AGE. DATE OP ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OB CREDIT. 

David B. Lowe, Private; 22; Feb. 10, '62; Gloucester; absent, sick at M. O.; no fur. rec. 

Michael Lynch, Private; 18; Nov. 26, 64; Boston; transf. to Co. B. 

George H. Mabee, Private; 24; Dec. 3, '6.3; Roxbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Dennis Mahoney, Private; 27; Nov. 22, '61 ; Boston; disch. Nov. 17, '64; expir. of term. 

William H. Martin, Private; 18;; Oct. 21, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 

James J. McCormick, Private; 22; Jan. 28, '62; Lynn; disch. Jan. 27, '65; expir. of term. 

Henry McGaffey, Private; 28; Sept. 17, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 

Benjamin Miller, Jr., Private; 30; Sept. 17, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 

Charles A. Miner, Private; 18; Sept. 13, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 

Estwick Morrill, Private; 30; July 11, '64 ; Salisbury ; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Lewis J. Morrill, Private; 26; Dec. 21, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 

George Moriey, Private; 40; Mar. 6, '65; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Daniel Murphy, Private; 24; Aug. 5, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 

Owen Murphy, Private; 28; Spt. 20, '64; Danvers; transf. to Co. H. 

Timothy Murphy, Private; 34; Sept 17, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 

Algernon S. Nicholas, Private; 18; Dec. 26, '63; Haverhill; transf. to N. C. S. as Hosp'l 

Steward. 
James Nulty, Private; 18; Dec. 31, '63; Amesbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John O'Brien, Private; 34; Jan. 1, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William H. Paisley, Private; 32; Jan. 5, '64; Salisbury; pris. Feb. 1, '64; d. in Anderson- 

ville, Ga., Apr. 1 7, '64 ; No. of gr. 598. 
Charies E. Pangbom, Private; 19; Aug. 19, '64; Fitchburg; M. O. July 11, '65. 
ChariesH.Pendexter, Private; 26; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; disch. July 15, '65. 
George W. Pevere, Private; 23; Sept. 19, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 
Walter S. Philbrick, Private; 30; Sept. 17, '64; Haverhill; disch. June30,'65. 
Warren C. Philbrick, Private; 36; Feb. 25, '64; Lynn; disch. July 12, '65. 
Nathaniel A. Pope, Private; 26; Oct. 19, '64; Boston; transf. to Co. D. 
John W. Quimby, Private; 25; Sept. 19, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 
Milton Raddin, Private; 18; Dec. 31, '63; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Jay Rascot, Private; 24; Sept. 6, '64; Haverhill; disch June 30, '65. 
Francis H. Rathbum, Private; 27; Sept. 5, '64; Marlblehead; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art. ; d. Apr. 12, '65 on Steamer ' ' Escort.' ' 
Ezra Remington, Private; 18; May 29, '64; Sturbridge; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Edward Ring, Private; 34; Dec. 24, '63; Brighton; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Henry S. Robinson, Private; 18; Oct. 21, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James Robinson, Private; 27; Feb. 24, '65; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Albert M. Sargent, Private; 24; Sept. 13, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30,'65. 
George W. Stanwood, Private; 21 ; Sept. 7, '64; Newburyport; disch. June 30, '65. 
Calvin B. Stockbridge, Private; 36; Sept. 17, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 
Phillip Sullivan, Private; 22; Sept. 23, '64; Danvers; transf. to Co. B. 
Patrick Toomey, Private; 25; Dec. 26, '63, Wobum; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William Tracy, Private; 29; Aug. 5, '64; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John H. Tucker, Private; 42; Nov. 19, '63; Salem; disch. July 20, '65. 
William F. White, Private; 44; Aug. 30, '64; Framingham; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Wellington S. White, Private; 20; Aug. 30, '64; Framingham; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John F. Wilbur, Private; 21; Aug. 5, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John S. Winslow, Private; 28; Feb. 22, '64; Lynn; transf. to Co. B. 
Willard Winslow, Private; 24; July 14, '63; Lawrence; transf. to Co. B. 
Edmund E. Woodward, Private; 24; July 14, '63; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Hugh Young, Private; 23; Feb. 22, '64; Hopkinton; transf. to Co. B. 



company d, new organization. 273 

Company "D", New Organization 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Lewis Cann, Captain; 24; Mar. 4, '65; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Lewis Cann, 1st Lt.; 24; Nov. 20, '64; Danvers; pro. Captain March 4, '65. 

Timothy Hawks, 2d Lt.; 28; Apr 20, '65; Danvers; commissioned 1st Lt. June 1, '65; 

M. O. July 11, '65 as 2d Lt. 
Joseph A.Welch, 1st Sgt.; 24; Jan. 4, '64; Haverhill; commissioned 2d Lt., June 1, '65; 

M. O. July 11, '65 as 1st Sgt. 
Leonard W. Phillips, 1st Sgt.;23; Jan. 25,'62; Bradford; transf. to Co. H. Feb. 25, '65. 
Albert F. Austin, Sgt.; 23; Jan. 4 '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Henry Holland, Sgt.; 23; Jan. 10, '62; Waltham; disch. Jan. 9, '65, expir. of term. 
Solomon Martin, Sgt.; 20; Jan. 4, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Patrick Nalty, Sgt.; 21; Jan. 4, '64; West Newbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William T. Parks, Sgt.; 26; Nov. 17,'64; Newburyport; disch. July 22, '65. 
Melville Maley, Sgt.; 21 ; Sept. 20, '64; Danvers; transf. to Co. H. 
Charles G. Allen, Corp.; 22; Sept. 7, '64; Sandisfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; d. of 

wounds Apr. 1, '65. 
John Condon, Corp.; 26; Sept. 2, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Jacob Galucia, Corp.;18; Nov. 4, '61; So. Danvers; disch. Nov. 5, '64, expir. of term. 
John Graham, Corp.; 31; Feb. 10,62; Chelsea; disch. Feb 11, '65 expir. of term. 
Albert F. Johnson, Corp.; 22; Sept. 1, '64; Enfield; transf . from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
George W. Jones, Corp.; 19; Sept. 10 '64; Chicopee; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John McCormack, Corp.; 22; Nov. 20, '61; So. Danvers; disch. Nov. 21, '64, as "James"; 

expir. of term. 
Thomas S. McKenna, Corp.; 25; Sept. 16,'64; Boston; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 2d 

H. Art. 
Edward D. Metcalf, Corp. 25; Sept. 3, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 5, '65. 
George A. Metcalf, Corp.; 28; Sept. 3, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John F. Mills, Corp.; 25; Jan. 1, '64; Bradford; disch. July 27, '65. 
Frank B. Poison, Corp.; 20; Jan. 4, '64; Lowell; d. Aug. 28, '64 in Andersonville, Ga.; 

No. of gr. 7080. 
James A. White, Corp.; 19; Sept. 6, '64; Acushnet; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 2d 

Regt. H. Art. 
Edward G. Boyle, Musician; 18; Feb. 14, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Groom, Musician; 18; Jan. 4, '62; Lowell; disch. Jan. 4, '65, expir. of term. 
George A. Johnson, Musician; 19; Jan. 1, '64; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John W. Twitchell, Musician; 23; Jan. 1, '64; Chelsea; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 12, 

'64;gr. No. 5428. 
Samuel Whittaker, Musician; 27; Jan. 1, '64; Boston; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Apr. 20, '64; 

No. of Gr. 635. 
WiUiam Allen, Private; 21; Sept 7, '64; Sandisfield; transf. from 2d Regt H. Art.; disch. 

Jime30, '65. 
James Anderson, Private; 26; Jan. 23, '62 ; Medford; disch. Jan. 22, '65; expir. of term. 
George Atwill, Private; 23; Sept. 5, '64; Taunton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James W. Barry, Private; 44; Sept. 7, '64; Great Barrington; transf . from 2d Regt, H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
George W. Bean, Private; 24; Sept. 3, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 



274 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Charles BLshop, Private; 19; Aug. 6, '64; Chelsea; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 27. '65. 
Lucius L. Bonney, Private; 25; Sept. 19, '64; Marshfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

d. at Raleigh, N. C, May 15, '65. 
James Boyle, Private; 21; Sept. 5, '64; Lynn; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30 '65. 
■ Matthew Boyle, Private; 26; Sept. 2, '64; Blackstone; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Thomas C. Boyle, Private; 33; July, 4, '62; Haverhill; diach. April 10, '65. 
William H. Briggs, Private; 24; Sept. 13, 64; Quincy; transf from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Benjamin H. Britton, Private; 31; Sept. 19, '64; Marlboro; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 

2d Regt. H. Art. 
William Broderick, Private; 18; Sept. 7, '64; Great Barrington ; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Curtis H. Brown, Private; 35; Sept. 1, '64; Granby; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; d. at 

Newbem,.N. C. Mar. 31, '65. 
Nichols Brown, Private; 24; Nov. 15, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Charles E. Burwell, Private; 38; Aug. 31, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Joseph Campbell, Private; 28; Dec. 5, '61 ; So. Danvers; disch. Jan. 7, '65, expir. of term. 
William H. Campbell, Private; 31; Jan. 31, '62; Chelsea; disch. Jan. 31, '65, expir. of term. 
William H. Carieton, Private; 22; Sept. 10, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
William Carter, Private; 32; March 6, '65; So. Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William H. Chamberlin, Private; 21; Sept. 17, '64; Natick; transf. from 2d H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William R. Champlin, Private; 21; Sept. 16, '64; Granville; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Charles A. Chesley, Private; 21; July 29, '64; Newburyport; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

d. May 28, '65. 
Thomas Clark, Private; 22; July 27, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; deserted 

July 1, '65. 
John Cobley, Private; 32; Aug. 26, '64; Sturbridge; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 2d 

Regt. H. Art. 
Reuben H. Coffin, Private; 29; Jan. 27, '62; Danvers; disch. Jan. 27, '65; expir. of term. 
Pardon H. Corey, Private; 27; Sept. 2, '64; Mendon; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June30,'65. 
William L. Crosby, Private; 31; Sept. 3, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Ira Currie, Private; 18; Sept. 1, '64; Enfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. May 25,'65. 
Michael Curtin, Private; 23; July 29, '64; Lawrence; transf. to Co. C; transf. from 2d 

H. Art. 
William H. Daily, Private; 21; Sept. 19, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Gardner M. Dean, Private; 19; Sept. 2, '64; Dracut; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art. ; disch. 

June 25, '65. 
Frederick A. Delano, Private; 34; Sept. 2, '64; Marshfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. July 3, '65. 
Samuel A. DoUiber, Private; 20; Jan. 1, '64; Marblehead; d. Jan 1, '65 in Anderson ville, 

Ga.;No. ofgr.,3579. 
Daniel G. Donovan, Private; 41; Sept. 6, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 



COMPANY D, NEW ORGANIZATION. 275 

NAME. BANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

George Drury, Private; IS; Aug. 25, '64; Grafton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
John Dufify, Private; 19; Sept. 13, '64; Westfield; tranaf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Dwelley, Private; 39; Sept. 7, '64; Fall River; transf. from 2d Regt H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Joel W. P. Evans, Private; 22; Jan. 31, '62; Chelsea; disch. June 30, '65, expir. of term. 
William Fay, Private; 25; Sept. 17, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Robert M. Field, Private; 35; Dec. 8, '64; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James Finnerty, Private; 23; Feb. 15, '62; Danvers; disch. Feb. 14, '65; expir. of term. 
John G. Fish, Private; 39; Sept. 17, '64; Marshfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Nahum Fisher, Private; 29; Sept. 19, '64; Marlboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Henry F. Ford, Private; 22; Sept. 3, '64; Marshfield ;transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John L. Graham, Private; 18; Aug 29 '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Loring Graves, Private; 35; March 26, '62; Chicopee; disch. Mar. 25, '65, expir. of term. 
Michael Guynan, Private; 35; Feb. 10, '62; Fall River; disch. Feb. 10, '65, expir. of term. 
William D. Hayden, Private; 21; Sept. 3, '64; Chicopee; transf. from 2d H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William E. Henrie, Private; 30; Dec. 5, '63; Boston; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Jan. 1, '65; 

grave No. 3168. 
Edwin J. Horr, Private; 21; Aug. 27, '64; Dana; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. Jime 

30, '65. 
James H. Jones, 2d, Private- 28; Sept. 2, '64; Ashland; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
James O. Judkins, Private: 29: Sept. 7, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John W. Keith, Private; 24; Sept. 1, '64; Enfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 25, '65. 
Richard Kennedy, Private: 23: Sept. 16, '64; Carlisle; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

May 31, '65. 
John Kilkelly, Private: 20; Sept. 17, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Kirby, Private; 19; Sept. 3, '64; Taunton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; transf. 

to Co. C. 
Charles G.Knox, Private; 21; Sept. 12, '64; Chester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Michael Kohane, Private; 28; Sept. 7, '64; Salem; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William H. Lane. Private; 21; Sept. 6, '61; Southampton; M. O. July 11, '65; transf. from 

2d Regt. H. Art 
Jeremiah J. Lee, Private; 21; Mar. 10, '62; Boston; disch. Mar. 9, '65, expir. of term. 
William Llewellyn, Private; 28; Sept. 6, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Jeremiah Looby, Private; 24; Sept. 6, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art. disch. 

June 30, '68. 
Dennis Mahoney, Private; 23; Sept. 8, '64; Bradford: transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Daniel Mason, Private; 26; Jan. 10, '62; Haverhill disch. Jan. 9, '65. expir. of term. 



276 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

George H. McClellan, Private; 21; Sept. 5, '64; Salem; transf. from 2d. Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Dominick McDavitt, Private; 31; Feb. 15, '62; Danvers; disch. Feb. 14, '65. expir. of term. 
Thomas McEntee, Private; 23; Sept. 16, '64; Roxbury; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Daniel McKenny, Private; 21; Dec. 12, '64; So. Danvers; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M.O.July 11, '65. 
John W. McKnight, Private; 21 ; Feb. 17,'62 ; Newburyport; disch. Feb. 12, '65, expir. of term. 
John McMann, Private; 24; Feb 3, '62; Boston; absent on detached service at M.O. of Regt., 

July 11, '65. 
Charles E. Mills, Private; 19; Feb. 28, '62; Haverhill; disch. Feb. 19, '65, expir. of term. 
George E. Moore, Private; 27; Feb. 9, '65; Danvers; transf. to N. C. S. as principal Musician. 
WilUam B. Moulton, Private; 18; Oct. 19, '61; Lynn; disch. Oct. 18, '64, expir. of term. 
Humphrey O'Leary, Private; 20; Nov. 26, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John F. O'Riley, Private; 19; Sept. 5, '64; Groton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 30, '65. 
Edgar A. Parker, Private; 25; Nov. 2, '62; Haverhill; disch. Nov. 1, '64, expir. of term. 
Edward Pettes, Private; 19; Sept. 15, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d H. Art.: disch. June 30, 

'65. 
James C. Phillips, Jr., Private; 26; Sept. 3, '64; Marshfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art.; pris. Mar. 8, '65; disch. June 30, '65. 
William S. Pike, Private; 42; Aug. 23, '64; Brookfield; transf. from 2d Regt. R. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Nathaniel A. Pope, Private; 26; Oct. 19, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James M. Powers, Private; 32; Dec. 22, '63; Medford; transf . to Co. C, Mar. 26, '65, absent 

pris. of war; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 17, '65; No. of gr. 4714. 
Charles Quinn, Private; 40; Sept. 22, '64; Fall River; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 2d 

Regt. H. Art. 
John E. Quinn, Private; 21; Dec. 31, '63; Boston; captured pris. of war Feb. 1, '64; no fur. 

rec. A. G. O., Mass. 
Charles Richards, Private; 19; Sept. 17, '64; Deerfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Henry H. Robbins, Private; 35; Jan. 31, '62; Lynn; disch. Jan. 28, '65., expir. of term. 
Patrick Ryan, Private; 43; Sept. 9, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Benjamin F. Savory, Private; 18; Sept. 5, '64; Marblehead; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Jeremiah Shea, Private; 35; Sept. 6, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Sullivan, Private; 21 ; Sept. 10, '64; Medford ; transf . from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Charles E. Smith, Private; 28; Sept. 2, '64; Ashland; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 22, '65. 
James B. Studley, Private; 20; Sept. 2, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 16, '65. 
Eben S. Thomas, Private; 44; Sept. 5, '64; Marshfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Nathaniel J. Thoms, Private; 43; Feb. 15, '62; Saugus; disch. Feb. 12, '65, expir. of term. 
William H. Tolman, Private; 22; Sept. 2, '64; Marshfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Patrick Troy, Private; 34; Dec. 17, '63; Boston; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Jan. 1, '65; No. 

of gr. 3848. 
Aaron E. Underwood, Private; 42; Sept. 16, '64; Milford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 



COMPANY E, NEW ORGANIZATION. 277 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Daniel Wait, Private; 44; Sept. 1, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Thomas Ward, Private; 32; Jan. 10, '65; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Leroy Warfield, Private; 20; Sept. 3, '64; Blandford; traasf.from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
George Wentworth, Private; 43; Dec. 13, '64; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William N. Wheeler, Private; 28; Sept. 12, '64; Medford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Georgena White, Private; 22; Sept. 3, '64; Marshfield; transf. from 2d Reg. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
George W. Whitney, Private; 18; Sept. 5, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. May 24, '65. 
Charies D. Williams, Private; 37; May 13, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Calvin W. Willis, Private; 49; Nov. 28, '63; Medford; d. in Anderson ville, Ga., July 17, 

'64;no. ofgr. 3469. 
Artemus Wilson, Private; 34; Feb. 14, '62; Danvers; disch. Feb. 13, '65, expir. of term. 
Miles Woodman, Private; 42; Nov. 14, '61; Boston; transf. from Co. A.; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Milio Woodman, Private; 42; Dec. 8, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 



Company ''E", New Organization 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OP ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Henry B. Webber, Capt.; 29; Mar. 4, '65; Groveland; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Henry C. Hyde, 1st Lt.; 22; Mar. 4, '65; Dauvers; transf. to Co. B, June 30, '65. 

John G. Cowan, 1st Sgt.; 20; Jan. 4, '64; Salisbury; Com. 2d Lt. June 1, '65; M. O. July 11, 

'65; as 1st Sgt. 
Thomas Davidson, Sgt.; 19; Dec. 28, '63; Wenham; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Adoniram J. Oilman, Sgt.; 24; Jan. 4, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Harry K. Herman, Sgt.; 21; 21; Jan. 26, '64; Boston; transf. from 1st Battery Light Art.; 

M. O. July 11, '65. 
Hugh Strain, Sgt.; 22; Jan. 2, '64; Rockport; disch. July 22, '65. 
Thomas D. Bassett, Corp.; 20; Sept. 19, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. Hy. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Michael J. Donahue, Corp.; 25; Sept. 6, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Robert Ellis, Corp.; 25; Sept. 15, '64; Medford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Samuel J. Ford, Corp.; 21; Jan. 4, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
George M. Keen, Corp.; 21; Jan. 4, '64; Medford; M. O. July 11, '65. 
WilliamJ. Kelliher, Corp.;21;Dec. 24, '63; Milford; M. O.July U, '65. 
William D. Mitchell, Corp.; 23; Feb. 29, '64; Groveland; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Michael Tracy, Corp.; 19; Sept. 8, '64; Middleboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. .\rt.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William Andrews, Private; 24; Sept. 1, '64; Medway; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Reynold Arnold, Private; 36; Sept. 9, '64; Attleboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William Bailey, Private; 32; Sept. 7, '64; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65; transf. from 2d Regt. 

H. Art. 
Allen L. Barrington, Private; 34; Sept. 3, '64; Colrain; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 



278 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Anthony Becume, Private; 37; Sept. 5, '64; West Boylston, transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John W. Bixby, Private; 21; Aug. 30. '64; Webster; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John E. Boyle, Private; 25; Sept. 5, '64; Braintree; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
WilUam Brand, Private; 21; Sept. 9, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Joseph J. Brooks, Private; 37; Sept. 3, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Clement P. Brown, Private; 18; Sept. 8, '64; Seckonk; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
John Brown, Private; 21; Sept. 8, '64; Middleboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Daniel Buckley, Private; 21; Sept. 3, '64; Roxbury; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Henry C. Burgess, Private; 30; Sept 10, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charies Cadieux, Private; 18; Sept. 6, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

Jime 30, '65. 
Thomas Callahan, Private; 28; Sept. 20, '64; Charlestown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Peter Campbell, Private; 31;^Sept. 12, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William H. Casmer, Private; 21; Sept. 18, '64; Chester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Jonathan E. Chaffee, Private; 24; Sept. 17, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Edward B. Chune, Private; 31; Sept. 5, '64; Marblehead; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Timothy Connelly, Private; 21; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; transf. to Co. A. 
Timothy Corcoian, Private; 27; Sept. 10, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Henry A. Cowles, Private; 20;'Aug. 31, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Carleton Creely, Private;~21; Sept. 3, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charies H. Crosby, Private; 18; Sept. 10, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
Isaac T. Cushing, Private; 18; Apr. 6, '64; Acushnet; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
George H. Cutter, Private; 24; Sept. 3, '64; Southbridge; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Richard H. Davis, Private; 23; Sept. 10, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
William H. Day, Private; 27; Sent. 13. '64; Cambriage; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; U. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Michael Duffy, Private; 31; Sept. 6, '64: Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Volney H. Dunbar, Private; 19; Sept. 10, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
Stephen Dunn, Private; 44; Aug. 26, '64; Sturbridge; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Michael Dwyer, Private; 20; Sept. 3, '64; Lawrence; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 



COMPANY E, NEW ORGANIZATION. 279 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OB CREDIT. 

Patrick Dwyer, Private; 28; Sept. 20, '64; Mariboro ; transf . from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Michael Fitzgerald, Private; 25; Sept. 14, '64; So. Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Murty E. Flemming, Private; 28; Jan. 1, '64; Boston; prisoner Feb. 1, '64; transf. to Co. H, 

as absent prisoner ; d. Apr. 1, '64 at Andersonville, Ga.; grave No. 286. 
Patrick Gorman, Private; 29; Sept. 20, '64; Cambridge; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Frederick O. Grout, Private; 25; Aug. 31, '64; Ashland; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Haley, Private; 21; Sept. 5, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Royal Hammond, Private; 21; Sept. 6, '64; Winchester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M. O. July 11, '65. 
Arthur Hathaway, Private; 19; Sept. 3, '64; Dalton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Hills, Private; 24; Sept. 10, '64; Amherst; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 8, '65. 
Aaron H. Holt, Private; 42; Sept. 2, '64; Phillipston; trans, from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Webster Hofses, Private; 18; Sept. 7, '64; Lunenburg; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charles Johnson, Private; 22; Feb. 3, '65; Milbury; disch. June 9, '65. 
Orville D. Keis, Private; 18; Sept. 19, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Samuel Kenny, Private; 33; Sept. 12, '64; Medford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William O. Lynn, Private; 20; Sept. 3, '64; Holland; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Cornelius Manley, Private; 23; Sept. 1, '64; Lexington; tranf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Timothy McCarthy, Private; 18; Sept. 5, '64 Lexington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Luke McGrath, Private; 20; Sept. 1,'64; Lexington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Patrick McQuade, Private; 25; Sept. 12, '64; Greenfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John H. Messenger, Private; 20; Sept. 5, '64; West Stockbridge; disch. June 30, '65. 
James Monkhouse, Private; 27; Sept. 2, '64; Oakham; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charles M. Morse, Private; 19; Sept. 9, '64; Attleboro; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 2d 

Regt. H. Art. 
James Murphy, Private; 42; Sept. 6, '64; Easton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
James Murray, Private; 18; Sept. 5, '64; So. Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Joel H. Nash, Private; 37; Sept. 2, '64; Greenfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art. disch. 

May 19, '65. 
Matthew Noland, Private; 20; Sept. 1, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Henry L. Norris, Private; 24; Sept. 6, '64; Reading; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Albert F. Parker, Private; IS; Sept. 1, '64; Townsend; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 
June 30, '65. 



280 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

George E. Peck, Private; 19; Sept. 10, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Edward B. Pike, Private; 23; Sept. 19, '64; Canton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Albert T. Poole, Private; 28; Sept. 5, '64; Braintree; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John F. Poole, Private; 42; Sept. 5, '64; Braintree; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Edward O. Randall, Private; 27; Sept. 1, '64; Enfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Peter Rice, Private; 38; Sept. 7, '64; Greenfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
William A. Rich, Private; 40; Sept. 5, '64; Northboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charles E. Ricker, Private; 32; Sept. 5, '64; Newton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Alfred Riley, Private; 19; Sept. 2, '64; Northampton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William Ritchie, Private; 19; Sept. 5, '64; Stoneham; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Russell, Private; 23; Sept. 8, '64; Wobum ; transf . from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Alphonso Sargent, Private; 18; Sept. 17, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Oscar L. Sawyer, Private; 20; Sept. 2, '64; Phillipston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Augustus Seleg, Private; 25; x\ug. 30 '64; Webster; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James Shoughrow, Private; 18; Aug. 29, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Ragt. H. 

Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
Charles J. Snow, Private; 22; Sept. 21, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
James M. Snow, Private; 23; Sept. 3, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

May 30, '65. 
William Stacy, 2d, Private; 35; Sept. 5, '64; Marblehead ; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. May 29, '65. 
John Stone, Private; 38; Sept. 18, '64; Roxbury; M. O. July 11, '65; transf. from 2d Regt. 

H. Art. 
William Switzer, Private; 27; Sept. 6, '64; Woburn; disch. July 24, '65. 
Martin C. Thayer, Private; 21; Sept. 3, '64; Belchertown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
James Thomas, Private; 25; Sept. 12, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; transf. 

to New Co. F. 
Peter Toolen, Private; 21; Sept. 3, '64; Carlisle; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Andrew Toomey, Private; 27; Sept. 6, '64; Braintree; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Joshua Tucker, Private; 19; Sept. 2, '64; Dartmouth; transf. 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

26, '65. 
Albert H. M. Tyler, Private; 18; Sept. 1, '64; Orange; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Frank E. Varnum, Private; 19; Sept. 20, '64; Falmouth; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
George D. White, Private; 18; Aug. 30, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 



company f, new organization. 281 

Company "F", New Organization 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OP ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Charles O. Fellows, Captain, 20; Feb. 11, '65; Chelsea; M. O. July 11. '65. 

Eben Simonds, 2d Lt., 24; March 4, '65; Maiden; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Thomas James, 1st Sgt.; 25; Sept. 12, '64; Medford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 14, '65. 
Joseph G. Kelly, 1st Sgt.; 35; Jan. 5, '64; Haverhill; commissioned 2d Lt., June 16, '65; 

M. O. July 11, '65 as 1st Sgt. 
William H. Davis, Sgt.; 26; Dec. 26, '63; Rockport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
AndrewP. Lewis, Sgt.;22; Jan. 4, '64; Newbury port; M. O.July 11, '65. 
Benjamin A. Sargent, Sgt.; 26; Feb. 29, '64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Lewis F. Besse, Corp.; 38; Jan. 4, '64; No. Chelsea; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Charles E. Flanders, Corp.; 20; Dec. 7, '63; Salisbury; M. O.July 11, '65. 

Bernard McGaw, Corp. ; 21 ; Aug. 23, '64 ; Mendon; transf. from 2d H. Art. ; disch. June 30, '65. 
Richard Purtill, Corp.; 18; Jan. 4, '64; Newburyport; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas B. Simonds, Corp.; 23; Sept. 20, '64; Haverhill; disch. June 30, '65. 
Michael Sullivan, Corp. 31; Jan. 4, '64; Newburyport; M. O.July 11, '65. 
John H. Tyler, Musician; 20; Jan. 5, '64; Wenham; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John C. Allen, Private; 22; Sept. 7, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James P. Beal, Private; 20: Sept. 6, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Lewis W. Benson, Private; 18; Sept. 3, '64; Brimfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30. '65. 
George Bowers, Private; 30; Sept. 1, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; diach. 

June 30, '65. 
Joseph G. Bums, Private; 21; Sept. 13, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Walter Chamberlain, Private; 33; Sept. 3, '64; Middleboro; disch. June 30, '65; tranaf. 

from 2d Regt. H. Art. 
Patrick Connell, Private; 27; Sept. 3, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William M. Comey, Private; 24; Sept. 2, '64; Franklin; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Garrett Condon, Private; 21; Sept. 1, '64; Maiden; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Leon Coster, Private; 39; Sept. 1, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John H. Copp, Private; 38; Sept. 5, '64; Brookfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James Cox, Private; 27; Sept. 14, '64; Westboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Cunningham, Private; 32; Sept. 3, '64; Roxbury; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Daniel Dailey, Private; 21; Sept. 7, '64; Lawrence; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Hiram W. Doane, Private; 21; Aug. 31, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

d. in Dale U. S. Gen. Hosp'l, June 30, '65. 
John Dyer, Private; 25; Sept' 15, '64; Hopkinton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Farrell, Private; 22; Aug. 29, '64; Holyoke; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Nympha P. Felton, Private; .39; Aug. 5, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch, June 30, '65. 



282 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Edward Fitzgerald, Private; 18; Aug. 29, '64; Holyoke; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Edward Fraher, Private; 30; Mar. 15, '65; Lynn; d. June 27, '65 at Greensboro, N. C. 
George M. Fry, Private; 18; Sept. 5, '64; Athol; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Richard Garvey, Private; 44; Aug. 3, '64; Roxbury; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; absent 

atM. O.July 11, '65. 
John Gavin, Private; 28; Sept. 2, '64; Ashland; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
DeWitt C. Graves, Private; 19; Sept. 10, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
George G. Hall, Private; 25; Sept. 10, '64; Natick; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charles Hamilton, Private; 35; Aug. 23, '64; Brookfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Daniel Harrington, Private; 22; Sept. 1, '64; Lee; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Appollas Hathaway, Private; 37; Sept. 7, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
George H. Hathorn, Private; 23; Aug. 29, 64; Williamsburg; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Hannibal A. Hathorn, Private; 20; Aug. 29, '64; Williamsburg; transf. from 2d Regt.; 

H. Art. ; disch. June 30, '65. 
Thomas Henry, Private; 30; Sept. 17, '64; Webster; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James Jaques, Private; 36; Sept. 2, '64; Blackstone; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Lemuel F. Johnson, Private; 29; July 18, '64; Wrentham; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 17, '65. 
William Johnson, Private; 27; Sept. 19, '64; Concord; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; transf. 

to Co. H. 
Roland R. Joslyn, Private; 23; Sept. 2, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charles R. Kaplinger, Private; 19; Aug. 26, '64; Greenfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Kelly, Private; IS; Aug. 19, '64; Great Barrington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Lawrence Lane, Private; 21; Sept. 5, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Edward R. Lay, Private; 30; Aug. 24, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Charles W. Locke, Private; 26; Aug. : 5, '64; Swanzey; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

d. March 26, '65 at Newbern, N. C. 
Frank Longdo, Private; 18; July 29, '64; Wendall; killed in action Mar. 8, '65. 
James C. Magoim, Private; 19; Aug. 31, '64; Pembroke; transf. from 2d Regt. H.Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Mahan, Private; 24; Sept. 15, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Timothy Malony, Private; 21; Sept. 20, '64; Falmouth; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John McGrath, Private; 28; July 18, '64; Douglas; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

May 25, '65. 
Warren E. McKee, Private; 21; Aug. 29, '64; Wobum; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 



COMPANY F, NEW ORGANIZATION. 283 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John Melvin, Private; 27; Aug. 2.3, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
John W. Miller, Private; 30; Aug. 26, '64; Williamsburg; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. July 27, '65. 
Jonathan H. Miles, Private; 24; July 18, '64; Lynn; disch. May 25, '65. 
Andrew J. Moore, Private; 26; Aug. 29, '64; Westfield; disch. June 30, '65. 
John C. Morse, Private; 28; Sept. 16, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65 
Joseph H. Morse; Private; 18; Sept. 17, '64; Boston; transf from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Patrick Navin, Private; 27; Sept. 21, '64; Chicopee; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Alexander Noble, Private; 24; Aug. 16, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Patrick O'Brien, Private; 24; Sept. 14, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.r 

disch. June 30, '65. 
William H. Phelps, Private; 23; Sept. 1, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Nathaniel Phillips, Private; 38; Sept. 2, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '63. 
John Ragin, Private; 21; Sept. 14, '64; Hopkinton; transf. from 2d Regt. Art.; disch. Junff 

30, '65. 
George E. Rand, Private; 19; Sept. 9, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Reardon, Private; 29; Sept. 20, '64; Fall River; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
WiHiam Rice, Private; 35; Aug. 25, '64; Brookfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Moses G. Robbins, Private; 39; Aug. 3, '64; Charlestown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

transf. to Co. H. 
Benjamin Roberts, Private; 36; Sept. 19, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

d. June 25, '65. at Greensboro, N. C. 
Thomas J. Russell, Private; 22; Sept. 6, '64; Nantucket; disch. June 30, '65. 
Austin Sackett, Jr., Private; 26; Aug. 29, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Peleg Sampson, Private; 44; Sept. 2, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Daniel D. Sanford, Private; 17; Sept. 10, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
John Shaughnessy, Private; 37; Sept. 7. '64; Ashland; transf. from 2d Regt., H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Francis A. Shaw, Private; 31; Sept. 5, '64; Brookfield; transf. from 2d .Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Slatterly, Private; 25; Sept. 3, '64; Hopkinton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Edward Smith, Private; IS; Sept. 19, '64; Great Barrington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 15, '65. 
Warren F. Smith, Private; 43; Aug. 12, '64; Methuen; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. May 26, '65. 
Augustus Snell, Piivate; 37; Aug. 26, '64; Sturbridge; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Edward W. Spencer, Private; 31; Sept. 10, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. 

H. Art.; disch. June 1, '65. 
William L. Stagg, Private; 25; Sept. 13, '64; Towsend; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

killed in action Mar. 8, '65. 



284 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John Taylor, Private; 33; July 26, '64; Pepperell; tr.ansf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

Tune 8, '65. 
Charles E. Thompson, Private; 26; Aug. 29, '64; Greenwich; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
William S. Thorp, Private; 28; Aug. 24, '64; Westfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 10, '65. 
John Toomey, Private; 26; Sept. 2, '64; Hopkinton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Francis A. Tuck, Private; 21; Sept. 3, '64; Colrain; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Wright Walker, Private; 22; Sept. 19, '64; Ashland; transf. from 2d Regt.; H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John M. Watts, Private; 23; Sept. 15. '64; Boston; transf. Irom 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 14. '65. 
John Welch, Private; 21; Sept. 5, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
George W. Wheeler, Private; 24; Aug. 29, '64; Greenwich; transf. from 2d Regt.; H. Art.; 

disch. Aug. 12, '65. 
Jonathan W. Whitney, Private; 42; Sept. 5, '64; Hubbardston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
Charles M. Whittemore, Private; 21; Aug. 26, '64; Sturbridge; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

rt.; d. Apr. 25, '65, at Raleigh, N. C. 
WiUiam T. Wilcott, Private; 18; Sept. 3, '64; Brookfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Simeon Young, Private; 37; Aug. 26, '64; Sturbridge; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Zahn, Private; 20; Sept. 20, '64; Roxbury; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 



Company "G" New Organization 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Thomas R. Keenan, Capt; 27; Feb. 23, '65; Lynnfield; M. O. July 11, '65. 

James Smith, 2d Lt.; 30; Dec. 20, '64; Danvers; Com. 1st Lt., June 1, '65; M. O. July 11, '65, 

as 2d Lt. 
Josepn G. Martin, 1st Sgt.; 37; Mar. 1, '64; Danvers; Com. 2d Lt., June 16, '65; M. O. July 

1, '65, as 1st Sgt. 
Charles F. Meader, Sgt.; 21; Jan. 1, "64; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John B. Moores, Sgt.; 28; Jan. 5, '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William H. Ogden, Sgt.; 23; Jan. 1 '64; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Henry B. Nichols, Sgt.; 28; Sept. 7, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

''O, '65. 
Samue H. Jones, Corp.; 25; Aug 30, '64; Lawrence; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James Kerran, Corp.; 37; Sept. 13, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Thomas Morol, Corp.; 26; Sept. 20, '64; Boston; transf. 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
William H. Nason, Corp.; 21; Sept. 19, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

une 30, '65. 
Charles R. Vincent, Corp.; 25; Sept. 1, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch 

June 30, '65. 



COMPANY G, NEW ORGANIZATION. 285 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Benjamin F. White, Corp.; 26; Sept. 1, '64; Pembroke; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Augustine Whitney, Corp.; 22; Aug. .30, '64; Leominster; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Henry Abbott, Jr., Private; 22; Aug. 19, '64; Gt. Barrington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 7, '65. 
WilHam Adams, Private; 19; Aug. 3, '64; Charlestown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65- 
Henry H. Albee, Private; 19; Aug. 31, '64; Charlton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Michael T. Ames, Private; 34; Aug. 30, '64; Shirley; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Jonas Bartlett, Private; 37; Aug. 29, '64; Lawrence; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Beaty, Private; 41; Aug. 30, '64; Milford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Henry Belden, Private; 20; July 25, '64; Leverett; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; d. Mar. 30, 

'65; on LT. S. Transport "Northern Light.' ' 
Michael Boyle, Private; 21; Sept. 3, '64; Ware; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Edward M. Bryant, Private; 29; Aug. 31, '64; Scituate; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Thomas Burke, Private; 23; Aug. 30, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Michael Casey, Private; 21; Sept. 1, '64; Lee; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 24, 

'65. 
James Conlan, Private; 19; Sept. 3, '64; Townsend; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Matthew Conness, Private; 35; Aug. 31, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Morris Consil, Private; 34; Sept. 16, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Michael Cozzens, Private; 24; Aug. 31, '64;.Pittsfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John D. Cram, Private; 29; Aug. 8, '64; Charlestown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; d. June 

21, '65, at Greensboro, N. C. 
Atwel J. Cross, Private; 19; Aug. 17, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 27, '65. 
William Danielson, Private; 21; Aug. 15, '64; Orange; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Patrick Diamond, Private; 44; Aug. 29, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art. ; disch. June 30, '65. 
Hugh Downey, Private; 27; Sept. 2, '64; Wobum; transf. from 2d Regt.; H. Art.; disch. 

July 28, '65. 
Ransom Dunbar, Private; 24; Sept. 20, '64; Greenfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M. O.July 11, '65. 
George Dunn, Private; 29; Sept. 19, '64; Greenfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Patrick O. Bwyer, Private; 35; Sept. 2, '64; Oxford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
George W. Eaton, Private; 19; Aug. 29, '64; Bradford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 24, '65. 
George W. Farrell, Private; 42; Aug. 8, '64; Watertown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 
M. O. July H, '65. 



286 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

John Fary, Private; 23; Sept. 2, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Fay, Private; 18; Aug. 25, '64; Wobum; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

Z'j, '65. 
George M. Fay, Private; 18; enrolled at Rehoboth, Aug. 25, '64; transf. from 2d H. Art. Dec. 

16, '64. ;M. O.June 30, '65. 
John Finnigan, Private; 21; Aug. 15, '64; Milford; disch. June 24, '65; transf. from 2d Regt. 

H. Art. 
James L. Fisher, Private; 20; Sept. 2, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Fitzpatrick, Private; 21; Sept. 2, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Flahive, Private; 21; Aug. 15, '64; Westboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11 ,'65. 
Henry T. Goetein, Private; 18; July 26, '64; Deerfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Andrew Guinan, Private: 21; Aug. 31, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
John Harliky, Private; 25; Sept. 2, '64; Wobum; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 2d Regt. 

H. Art. 
Edward Harrighy, Private; 26: Aug. 8, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt.; H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Thomas Harris, Private; 36; Sept. 19, '64; Marlboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Howard, Private; 18; Sept. 1, '64; Pembroke; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Nelson Hughes, Private; 21 ; Aug. 9, '64; Boston; transf. to Co. C. 

Rufus Hunt, Private; 22; Sept. 1, '64; Otis; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
Patrick Kearey, Private; 34; Sept. 12, '64; Spencer; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Arthur Keefe, Private; 23; Sept. 1, '64; Maiden; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Michael Keith, Private; 22; Sept. 5, '64; Lexington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65; as Keefe. 
George W. Knight, Private; 23; Sept. 2, '64; Milford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James Lawler, Private; 25; Aug. 31, '64; Pittsfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Daniel Leary, Private; 25; July 29, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; d. Apr. 9, 

'65, in Hospital in New York. 
Joseph E. Lewis, Private; 26; Sept. 2, '64; Tyngsboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
William H. Lightbound, Private; 21; Sept. 1, '64; Otis; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Michael McColligan, Private; 40; Aug. 10, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
WilUam McGrath, Private; 44; Aug. 30, '64; Chicopee; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John McVey, Private; 28; Aug. 20, '64; Greenfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Edward Millen, Private; 31; Sept. 1, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
Richard Mitchell, Private; 26; July 11, '64; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas Morgan, Private; 23; Sept. 21, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 



COMPANY G, NEW ORGANIZATION. 287 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

James Murphy, Private; 19; Sept. 2, '64; Northhampton; transf. from 2d R gt. H. Art.; 

M. O. July 11, '65. 
James B. Murphy, Private; 20; Sept. 2, '64; Milton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; transf. 

to Co. B. 
Thomas Murphy, Private; 24; Aug. 31, '64; Pittsfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Navan, Private; 23; Aug. 29, '64; Milford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
John O. Nay, Private; 21; July 29, '64; Newburyport; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John Niles, Private; 31; July 28, '64; Georgetown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; d. May 

2, '65; at Beaufort, N. C. 
Hugh Nugent, Private; 23; Aug. 31, '64; Pittsfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John O'Brien, Private; 25; July 29, '64; Plymouth; disch. May 26, '65; transf. from 2d Regt. 

H. Art. 
William P. O'Brien, Private; 20; July 26, '64; Adams; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 26, '65. 
Patrick O'Connors, Private; 23; Aug. 16, '64; Ashland; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
John O'Mara, Private; 22; Aug. 31, '64; Pittsfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Patrick O'Neil, Private; 19; Aug. 13, '64; Chelsea; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Charies M. Peabody, Private; 31; Aug. 24, '64; Bradford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Pearsons, Private; 32; Sept. 3, '64; Colrain; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Cornelius H. Post, Private; 42; Aug. 5, '64; Chelmsford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

d. Apr. 19, '65; at Beaufort, N. C. 
Michael Powers, Private; 18; Aug. 19, '64; Deerfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 7, '65. 
Henry H. Prouty, Private; 34; Aug. 29, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Henry C. Reed, Private; 21; Sept. 1, '64; Baston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

July 24, '65. 
Renzo Sargent, Private; 18; Aug. 17, '64; Clinton; transf. from 2d Ragt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Edward Schofield, Private; 31; Aug. 27, '64; Medford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 15, '65. 
Charies W. Seiders, Private; 23; Aug. 26, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Patrick Shea, Private; 22; July 27,'64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. July 

19, '65. 
Thomas Shea, Private; 21; Sept. 1, '64; Maiden; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65, as "Timothy." 
Alonzo Sinclair, Private; 21; Aug. 12, '64; Fitchburg; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Alexander G. Smith, Private; 25; Sept. 3, '64; Oakham; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. May 26, '65. 
Matthew Stephenson, Private; 42; Sept. 1, '64; Maiden; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 28, '65. 
Henry J. Stevens, Private; 33; July 25, '64; Lynn; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch 

June 24, '65. 



288 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Michael Sweeney, Private; 28; Aug. 27, '64; Marlboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
George W. Temple, Private; 42; Julj' 23, '64; Marlboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M. O. July 11, '65. 
Orrin L. Torger, Private; 21; Aug. 17, '64; Provincetown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. July 16, '65. 
Abram A. Tyler, Private; 28; May 13, '64; Adams; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Thomas H. Welch, Private; 19; Sept. 1, '64; Townsend; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Emerson Wilcott, Private; 43; Aug. 31, '64; Brookfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

d. Apr. 10, '65, David Island, New York Harbor. 



Company "H" New Organization. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT, 

Enoch F. Tompkins, Captain; 33; Apr. 22, '65; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Malcolm Sillars, 1st Lt.; 26; Mar. 4, '65; So. Danvers; commissioned Captain Aug. 4, '64; 

M.O.July 11, '65 as 1st Lt. 
James Smith, 2d Lt.; 30; Dec. 20, '64; Danvers; commissioned 1st Lt. June 1, '65; transf. 

toCo.G. 
Uriah Robertson, 2d Lt.; 30; Mar. 4, '65; Danvers; commissioned 1st Lt., June 1, '65; M. O. 

July 11, '65, as 2d Lt. 
Leonard W. Phillips, 1st Sgt.; 23; Jan. 25, '62; Bradford; d. Oct. 5, '64 at Andersonville, 

Ga.;gr. No. 10383. 
Thomas Clymonte, 1st Sgt.; 21; Dec. 4, '63; New Bedford; commissioned 2d Lt., June 16, '65; 

M. O. July 11, '65 as 1st Sgt.; re-enlist. Dec. 4, '63. 
Owen Murphy, Sgt.; 28; Sept. 20, '64; Danvers; disch. June 30, '65. 

WilUam Pollett, Sgt.; 21; Dec. 28, '63; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65; re-enlist. Dec. 28, '63. 
MelvinMaley, Sgt.; 21; Sept. 29, '64; Danvers; disch. June 30, '65. 
William J. Bradley, Corp.; 21 ; Jan. 24, '65; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William B. Campbell, Corp.; 24; Sept. 19, '64; Marlboro; disch. June 30, '65; transf. from 

2d Regt. H. Art. 
WilUam E. Flagg, Corp.; 21; Jan. 24, '65; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Hadley, Corp.; 30; Sept. 8. '64; Grafton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. June 30, 

'65. 
William H. Henderson, Corp.; 18; Sept. 18, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Bernard McGaw, Corp.; 21; Aug. 23, '64; Mendon; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Edward North, Corp.; 21 ; Feb. 9, '65; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Edward W. Wheeler, Corp.; 21; Dec. 20, '64; Fall River; re-enlist. Dec. 21, '63; M. O. July 

11, '65. 
Henry Foster, Musician; 18; Feb. 19, '64; Cambridge; re-enlist. Feb. 19, '64; M. O. July 11, 

'65. 
Charles Hartman, Musician; 20; Jan. 5, '64; Danvers; re-enlist. Jan. 5, '64; M. O. July 

1,'65. 
John W. Twichell, Musician; 23; Jan. 1, '64; Chelsea; re-enlist. Jan. 1, '64; d. Aug. 17, '64 , 

in Andersonville, Ga.; gr. No. 5428. 
Thomas W. Bagley, Private; 18; Jan. 13, '65; Amesbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Charles H. Baldwin, Private; 20; Dec. 24, '64; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James C. Bates, Private; 33; Sept. 9, '64; Abington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 



COMPANY H, NEW ORGANIZATION. 289 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

HenryBehan, Private; 21; Jan. 18, '65; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Joseph E. Brigham, Private; 21; Sept. 19, '64; Marlboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art. 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John M. Brown, Private; 19; Jan. 25, '65; West Newbury, d. June 9, '65 in hospital. New York. 
George Burnett, Private; 21; Jan. 26, '65; Charlestown; disch. July 28, '65. 
Charles A. Cheever, Private; 38; Jan. 18, '64; Lynn; re-enlist. Jan. 18, '64; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Winfield S. Church, Private; 18; Dec. 20, '64; Fall River; disch. June 29, '65. 
Henry A. Collins, Private; 19; Jan. 13, '65; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 
David H. Cook, Private; 18; Jan. 31, '65; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Dennis Desmond, Private; 22; Jan. 11, '65; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Desmond, Private; 22; Jan. 16, '65; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Michael J. Donahue, Private; 18; Sept. 14, '64; Lowell; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11 '65. 
Peter F. Dwyer, Private; 19; Sept. 15, '64; Waltham; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
WilUam Emerson, Private; 33; Sept. 3, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. 

Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
John Fitzpatrick, Private; 30; July 15, '64; Amesbury; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M.O.July 11, '65. 
Edward Gallagan, Private; 21; July 30, '64; Athol; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
James Gallagan, Private; 21; Sept. 6, '64; Wobum; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
George Gardner, Private; IS; Sept. 3, '64; Attleboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Asa Gentis, Private; 32; Jan. 25, '65; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James Gilleland, Private; 35; Jan. 2, '64; Lawrence; d. Oct. 19, '64 at Andersonville, Ga., 

gr. No. 11157. 
John Goggin, Private; 43; Jan. 11, '65; Haverhill; M. O. July 11, '65. 
John Gravat, Private; 21; July 30, '64; Athol; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.: M. O. July 

11, '65. 
Joseph Greenhalge, Private; 23; Sept. 21, '64; Fall River; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Morris Haley, Private; 22; Sept. 20, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Henry S. Henderson, Private; 21; Sept. 17, '64; Northfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Robert Heron, Private;, 34; Dec. 27, '64; Lynn; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. July 

11, '65. 
Robert Hock, Private; 26; Sept. 12, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. July 

11, '65. 
John H. Huddell, Private; 18; Jan. 31, '65; So. Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
WilUam Johnson, Private; 27; Sept. 19, '64; Concord; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Andrew Jones, Private; 19; Jan. 28, '65; Fall River; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James Kaler, Private; 21; Sept. 12, '64; East Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Patrick Kelly Private; 25; Sept. 7, '64; Uxbridge; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Alonzo C. Kezar, Private; 19; Jan. 31, '65; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Timothy KnifBck, Private; 22; Jan. 4, '65; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 

Henry Krollman, Private; 20; Sept. 17, '64; Granville; transf. from 2d Regt. H, Art.; disch. 
Jvme 30, '65. 



290 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OE CREDIT. 

Moses Lancaster, Private: 39; Sept. 3, '64; Heath; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art; d. of wounds 

Mar. 15, '65. 
John Landen, Private; 19; Sept. 12, '64; New Bedford; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Daniel Leary, Private; 33; Sept. 19, '64; Worcester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James Ledwith, Private; 22; Jan. 11, '65; Fall River; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
Simon L. Lee, Private; 27; Aug. 18, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. July 

11. '65. 
William S. Maloney, Private; 32; Sept. 17, '64; Granville; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
James Maxwell, Private; 28; Sept. 19, '64; Marlboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Hugh McCann, Private; 30; Dec. 29, '64; Salem; M. O. July 11, '65. 
George E. McCIosky, Private; 18; Sept. 15, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d. Regt. H. Art.; 

killed in action Mar. 10, '65, at Kinston, N. C. 
WilliamMcGunnigle, Private; 18;Feb.l,'65;Stoughton; M.O.July 11, '65. 
CharlesH.McIntire, Private; 21; Feb. 27, '65; Salem; transf. .to Co. B. 
George E. Melendy, Private; 20; Aug. 29, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Lewis Morey, Private; 18; Jan. 4, '65; Boston; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Michael Morrisey, Private; 23; Feb. 2, '65; Worcester; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Michael Mulvaney, Private; 19; Sept. 17, '64; Palmer; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M.O.July 11, '65. 
Charles Murphy, Private; 29; Feb. 27, '62; Cambridge; d. in Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 5, 

'64;no. ofgr. 7862. 
Hugh E. Murphy, Private; 21; Mar. 3, '65; Danvers; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Jeremiah Murphy, Private; 26; Jan. 18, '65; Lawrence; d. May 9, '65, at Raleigh, N. C. 
Michael Neighland, Private; 21; Sept. 3, '64; Framington; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. July 30, '65. 
Jerome M. Newton, Private; 36; Sept. 16, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
William O'Brian, Private; 42; Sept. 8, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O, 

July 11, '65. 
William O'Hern, Private; 42; Sept. 15, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
George Orall, Private; 24; Jan. 27, '65; Haverhill; d. Apr. 23, '65 at Morehead City, N. C. 
Francis A. Orcutt, Private; 19; Feb. 3, '65; Lynn; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Henry Pepin, Private; 19; Jan. 23, '65; Worcester; M. O. July 11, '65. 
James Peppard, Private; 26; Sept. 17, '64; Blackstone; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Reynolds, Private; 24; Jan. 13, '65; Taunton; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Edward Richardson, Private; 21; Jan. 27, '65; Templeton; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Moses G. Robbins, Private; 39; Aug. 3, '64; Charlestown; disch. June 9, '65. 
Charles O. Robinson, Private; 21; Jan. 31, '65; Salisbury; M. O. July 11, '65. 
William H. Russell, Private; 19; Sept. 1, '64; Sandlsfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
Thomas Scanlan, Private; 29; Feb. 23, '65; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Herman Seyfurth, Private; 24; Jan. 18, 65; Concord; M. O. July 11, '65. 
Moses Sherman, Private; 28; Sept. 17, '64; Marshfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 20, '65. 
Joseph W. Silver, Private; 23; Jan. 13, '65; Ipswich; deserted June 26, '65. 
John W. Smith, Private; 22; Feb. 20, '65; Lawrence; M. O. July 11, '65. 



UNASSIGNED RECRUITS, NEW ORGANIZATION. 291 



NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Heary Snow, Private; 18; Feb. 14. '65; Greenfield; M. O. July 11, '65. 

James P. Stevens, Private; 30; Jan. 5, '65; Boston; transf. to Co. B. 

John Sullivan, Private; 25; Feb. 1, '65; Northampton; disch. July 25, '65. 

Leonard L. Walker, Private; 34; Sept. 19, '64; Mariboro; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Wall, 1st, Private; 30; Sept. 2, '64; Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. Art.; disch. June 

30, '65. 
John Wall, 2d, Private; 40; Sept. 5, '63; So. Boston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
Alexander D. Washburn, Private; 22; Aug. 29, '64; No. Bridgewater; transf. from 2d Regt. 

H. Art.; disch. June 30, '65. 
Emory Watkins, Private; 42; Feb. 17, '65; Hopkinton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M.O.July 11, '65. 
Orrin H. Watkins, Private; 19; Feb. 10, '65; Hopkinton; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

M.O.July 11, '65. 
Robert Welch, Private; 19; Aug. 1, '64; Townsend; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

fordisabil. June 24, '65, hosp'l, Newark, N. J. 
Thomas Weller, Private; 21; Aug. 15, '64; Boston, transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; M. O. 

July 11, '65. 
George H. Wheldon, Private; 21; Sept. 10, '64; Springfield; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 
John Wigley, Private; 31; Sept. 3, '64; Dorchester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; disch. 

June 30, '65. 
James Winter, Private; 18; July 25, '64; Georgetown; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 

disch. June 30, '65. 



Unassigned Recruits. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OP ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Daniel C. Aiken, Recruit; 23; July 14, '63; Lawrence; disch. May 22, '65, under President's 
Proclamation. 

Henry A. Brown, Recruit, 23; July 19, '63; Boston; disch. May 22, '65, under President's 
Proclamation. 

George Burgess, Recruit; 19; Aug. 13, '64; Wendell; desert, at Camp Distribution, Alex- 
andria, Va.; letter War Depart. July 3, '93, on file in Adjt. Gen's oflSce, Mass. 

Thomas Casey, Recruit; 18; Aug. 5, '62; Bradford; unofficially reported discharged, Jan, '63. 

George C. Keefe, Recruit; 21; June '64; Boston; disch. May 6, '65, under President's Procla- 
mation. 

James Larter, Recruit; 20; Apr. 12, '65; Boston; disch. May 6, '65. 

WilUam H. Littlefield, Recruit; 18; Oct. 20, '62; Boston; disch. for disability at Alexandria, 
Va., Dec. 12, '62; letter War Department Jan. 26, '64, Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 

William F. Lougee, Recruit; 19; Feb. 10, '65; Boston; d. at Galloupe's Island, Mar. 10, '65. 

Edward Plummer, Recruit; 25; Sept. 3, '64; Dorchester; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; d. 
Oct. 19, '64, at Newbem, N. C. 

WiUiam Wallace, Recruit; 28; Feb. 25, '65; Boston; disch. May 6, '65. 

William E. Wheeler, Recruit; 24 ; May 20, '64; Chicopee; disch. May 17, '65, under President's 
Proclamation. 

George A. Willey, Recruit; 19; Sept. 2, '64; Bemardston; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 
d. Jan. '65, at Newbem, N. C. 

John H. Williams, Recruit; 21; Sept. 10, '64; Haverhill; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art.; 
disch. June 30, '65. 



292 the seventeenth massachusetts regiment. 

Enlisted Men who are Recorded as Having Enlisted in 

OR FOR THE SEVENTEENTH ReGIMENT. 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

James Allen, Recruit; 20; July 31, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office. Mass. 
Albert Baker, Recruit; 22; Sept. 29, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Henry Barton, Recruit; 21 ; Aug. 5, '62; Maiden; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James Bates, Recruit; 33; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Henry Becket, Recruit; 22; Aug. 9, '64; Dan vers; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
George Bennett, Recruit; 24; Nov. 30, '62; West Newbury; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, 

Mass. 
Joseph Bennett, Recruit; 22; Nov. 30, '62; West Newbury; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, 

Mass. 
William H. Blake, Recruit; 27; Aug. 28, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Horatio N. C. Blanchard, Recruit; 35; Aug. 10, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, 

Mass. 
Stilson Boynton, Recruit; 35; Aug. 19, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
George W. Brooks, Recruit; 24; Oct. 22, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Boston. 
James Burke, Recruit; 23; Oct. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Burpee, Recruit; 21; Aug. 9, '62; Gloucester; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James S. Chase, Recruit; 19; May 10, '61 ; Newburyport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Leonard Chase, Recruit; 25; May 10, '61; Newburyport; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, 

Mass. 
Thomas Clark, Recruit; 32; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. in Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
George Clinton, Recruit; 22; Oct. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
H. A. Cole, Recruit; 24; July '61; Beverly; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Edward Conner, Recruit; 20; May 10, '61; Newburyport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Charles Cook, Recruit; 21; Oct. 21, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Michael Cooley, Recruit; 21; Oct. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William J. Cross, Recruit; 27; Oct. 21, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James M. Crafts, Recruit; 41 ; Oct. 21, '62; Maiden; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Neil Doherty, Recruit; 22; Aug. 12, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James Dolan, Recruit; 41; Aug. 4, '61; Salisbury; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Thomas Dougherty, Recruit; 21; Aug. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James Dowd, Recruit; 25; July 10, '61; Lynnfield; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John H. Ellsworth, Recruit; 23; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
D.W. Farmer, Recruit; 21; July 10, '61; Rockport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James Fitzgerald, Recruit; 25; Aug. 9, '61; Fall River; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James Gildare, Recruit; 22 ; Oct. 29, '62 ; Boston; bo fur. rec. Adjt. Gen 's office, Mass. 
John Gray, Recruit; 27; Oct. 25, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William Guilfoil, Recruit; 21; Oct. 21, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Jeremiah Mackett, Recruit; 39; Aug. 19, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William Haggerty, Recruit; 23; July 22, '62; Lawrence; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Thomas Hanley, Recruit; 21; Oct. 27, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Harris, Recruit; 21; Sept. 30, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Edward Harrison, Recruit; 22; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William Henry, Recruit; 23; Aug. 10, '61; Andover; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Enoch M. Henrich, Recruit; 41; Nov. 11, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Hewins, Recruit; 18; Oct. 14, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Richard Holden, Recruit; 23; Aug. 27, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Charles Hopkins, Recruit; 26; Aug. 29, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Nathaniel T. Horn, Recruit; 23; July 27, '61; Roxbury; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office. Mass. 
John G. Ivers, Recruit; 22 ; Dec. 14, '61 ; Newburyport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen 's office, Mass. 
William Jackson, Recruit; 45; May 10, '61; Lynn; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office. Mass. 



OTHER ENLISTED MEN. 293 

NAME. RANK. AGE. DATE OF ENBOLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Charles Johnaon.Recruit; 21; Sept. 3, '64; New Salem; transf. from 2d Regt. H. Art. 
William Johnson, Recruit; 21; Jan. 11, '65; Sturbridge; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gea's office, Mass. 
George Jones, Recruit; 21; Oct. 29, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Jones, Recruit; 21; Oct. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William H. Jones, Recruit; 36; July 22, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Samuel Kegan, Recruit; Aug 23, '61; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Robert Kirmit, Recruit; 21; Oct. 29, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Elden H. Lamson, Recruit; 31; Feb. 5, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Larkin, Recruit; 39; Oct. 29, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William Layton, Recruit; 38; July 22, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Lee, Recruit; 21; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
David H. Leven worth. Recruit; 21; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Thomas Lewis, Recruit; 20; July 29, '61; Fall River; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Charles Littlefield, Recruit; 36; Aug. 12, '61; Gloucester; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Benjamin F. Locke, Recruit; 28; Feb. 4, '62; Amesbury; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
George Maiden, Recruit; 21; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Timothy Maley, Recruit; 27; Sept. 2, '64; Greenfield; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Henry G. Marden, Recruit; 44; Sept. 1, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William F. Mason, Recruit; 25; Dec. 28, '62; Chelsea; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Michael McCarty, Recruit; 19; Oct. 12, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Daniel McCollagh, Recruit; 26; Oct. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Owen McNally, Recruit; 37; July 2, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Wiliam Morrill, Recruit; 26; Sept. 28, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William H. Motley, Recruit; 21; July 10, '61; Rockport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Murray, Recruit; 21; Oct. 21, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Robert Neville, Recruit; 21; Oct. 13, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Thomas Newton, Recruit; 34; May 10, '61; So. Dan vers; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Michael O'Flaherty, Recruit; 30; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's, office, 

Mass. 
Charles E. Oliver, Recruit; 22; Oct. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James O'Neil, Recruit; 21; Oct. 27, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John O'Shea, Recruit; 25; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
J. O'Sullivan, Recruit; 22; July 31, '61; Great Falls, N. H.; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, 

Mass. 
Sylvester Parshley, Recruit; 18; July 10, '61; Salem; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William B. Porter Recruit; 25; May 10, '61; Newburyport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, 

Mass. 
Peter Quanton, Recruit; 19; Oct. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Andrew Quinn, Recruit; 25; Oct. 14, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Patrick Quinn, Recruit; 22; Sept. 5, '62; Lynn; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
E. R. Raney, Recruit; 39; July 2, '61; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Raymond, Recruit; 23; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Daniel Ready, Recruit; 28; Sept. 29, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
George H. Roberts, Recruit; Haverhill; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Samuel Roberts, Recruit; 31; May 10, '61; So. Danvers; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass- 
Charles W. Seymour, Recruit; 24; Jan. 1,62; Danvers; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Thomas Stokes, Recruit; 33; Oct. 2, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James Sullivan, Recruit; 21; Oct. 29, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Thomas Sullivan, Recruit; 21; Sept. 3, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Edwin Thomas, Recruit; 21; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William Thomson, Recruit; 29; Oct. 22, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Henry Tighe, Recruit; 38; Aug. '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
David Welch, Recruit; 26; Oct.l, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 



294 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

NAME. EANK. AGE. DATE OF ENROLLMENT. RESIDENCE OR CREDIT. 

Stephen H. Welch, Recruit; 26; May 10, '61; Newburyport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, 

Mass. 
Charles West, Recruit; 21; Jan. 14, '64; Cohasset; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Tobias White, Recruit; 21 ; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
William White, Recruit; 23; Oct. 2, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
George H. Whittemore, Recruit; 18; Aug. 17, '61; Newburyport; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's 

ofiice, Mass. 
Thomas Wilkinson, Recruit; 21: Oct. 29, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's oBBce, Mass. 
John Williams, Recruit; 23; Oct. 13, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
John Williams, Recruit; 33; Sept. 1, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
David R. Willie, Recruit; 24; Feb. 3, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Joseph Wing, Recruit; 18; Oct. 21, '61; New Bedford; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Charles Wilson, Recruit; 30; Oct. 22, '62 ; Boston ; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Henry Wilson, Recruit; 25; Oct. 23, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
James Wilson, Recruit; 24; Oct. 24, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Henry WithLngton, Recruit; 18; Oct. 14, '62; Boston; no fur. rec. Adjt.General's office, Mass. 
Caleb L. Woodwell, Recruit; 35; Aug. 23, '61; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 
Benjamin F. Young, Recruit; 18; May 10, '61; Reading; no fur. rec. Adjt. Gen's office, Mass. 



CHAPTER X. 



BIOGRAPHIES. 



With Portrait of Field, Staff, Line Officers and a few 
OF THE Enlisted Men of the Reorganized, or Veteran 
Seventeenth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer 
Infantry. 

COLONEL HENRY SPLAINE. 

Henry Splaine, (colonel of the new Seventeenth Massachusetts 
Infantry) was born in Aharlow House, Barony of Muskerry, 
County of Cork, Ireland, August 6, 1837. He received his early 
education in public and private schools in the city of Cork. 
When but fourteen years of age (namely, October 3, 1851) he came 
to the United States with his family and settled in Haverhill, 
Mass. Here he continued his studies under the direction of 
his parents, who were educated and accomplished. 

In Haverhill he was taught the shoemaking trade, at which 
he worked until the breaking out of the Civil War, when the mili- 
tant spirit of a war-like ancestry moved him to leave the work- 
bench and don the uniform of a soldier, in the cause of freedom and 
his adopted country. He was one of six brothers who fought 
in either the army or the navy of the United States in that war, 
all serving until the close of the war, the surrender of General Lee 
and the collapse of the Rebellion. 

Colonel Splaine is one of nineteen children, thirteen boys and 
six girls. His father was Richard Splaine, Esq., formerly of 
Aharlow House, County of Cork, Ireland. He was of a long line 
of estated gentlemen, and of direct descent from one of two 

[295] 



296 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

brothers who accompanied WilUam the Norman from France to 
England, participating in the battle of Hastings, which resulted 
in the conquest of England. A descendant of this brother went 
to Ireland years afterwards and founded the house from which 
Colonel Splaine derives his ancestry. 

A militant and adventurous strain has always run through the 
Splaine family, there having been several of them in wars during 
and after the conquest of England, and notably during the last 
two centuries. For example. Colonel Abraham Splaine of the 
British Eighty-First Infantry, who was a cousin of the subject 
of this sketch; Captain Philip Splaine, killed at Cape Coast Castle, 
Africa, was a cousin; Lieutenant William Splaine, who died in 
Canada years ago, was also a cousin; Jerome Splaine, a brother, 
was killed at the battle of Khars during the progress of the Cri- 
mean War; another brother, Edward Splaine, was honored with 
the Queen's Medal for heroic conduct in the defence of a bastion 
of a fort during the battle of Inkerman, the piece of artillery 
in the fort becoming overheated, burst, killing twelve of the 
seventeen men under the command of said Edward Splaine. 
Edward was one of the six brothers who served in the Civil War. 

Colonel Splaine's maternal grandfather, John O'Mahoney, 
Esq., was a sculptor of distinction in Ireland, and in the early 
part of the last century (from 1800 to 1818) had for a pupil, 
James Barry, Esq., founder of the house of sculptors of that name 
in the United States, some of whom have attained the highest rank 
among the leading American sculptors. 

Colonel Splaine's mother was Honora, daughter of John 
O'Mahoney, the sculptor. She was a noted Irish beauty in her 
section of the country, was an accomplished and amiable woman, 
and was the first of the old Irish or Celtic race to marry into the 
Splaine family. 

When the Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment left Linnfield 
in August, 1861, Colonel Splaine was in Company E, a first lieu- 
tenant, but on January 31, 1862, was promoted to the rank of 
captain, and assigned to Company A of that regiment, until the 
expiration of the term of the old regiment, when he took command 
as captain of the newly organized veterans, July 17, 1864. Shortly 




Lieut. Eben Simonds. 



BIOGRAPHIES. 297 

after, when the regiment began to be recruited up to its maximum 
of eight companies, he was commissioned major and Heutenant- 
colonel, August 10, 1864. 

On March 4, 1865, he was appointed Acting Brigadier General 
in command of the third brigade, second division. District of 
Beaufort, North Carohna. He was commissioned colonel June 16, 
1865. These promotions, it may be said, were the rew^ard of 
meritorious and efficient conduct in the field during four years of 
continuous service, when he was at all times with his command. 

Though usually fortunate in the many encounters in which 
he participated in North Carolina, he was wounded in the left 
arm at Winton (or Mt. Tabor Church), North Carolina, July 
26, 1863. 

Colonel Splaine personally is a warm-hearted, chivalrous, 
generous and charitable man, unassuming in manner, and modest in 
bearing, as men of ability always are. He is thoroughly democratic 
in temperament, notwithstanding that in his lineage he is aristo- 
cratic, and in that respect has something to be proud of, he being 
a cousin in the second degree of a baronet, as his father and Sir 
Richard Moore were full first cousins, Colonel Splaine being, 
therefore, cousin of the present baronet of that name. Colonel 
Splaine's grand aunt, Ellen Oilman of Old Park, County Cork, Ire- 
land, married Sir Emannuel Moore, thereby becoming Lady Moore. 

As to his own immediate family, it may be recorded that he 
married Margaret J. Weir on November 16, 1858. From this 
union were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, 
namely, Richard Edward, Anne Maria, Henry Thomas, Herbert 
James, William Francis, Norella, David Jerome and George Weir. 
Mrs. Splaine died November 15, 1881. 

Colonel Splaine is a member of Theodore Winthrop Post, 
No. 35, Department of Massachusetts, G. A. R., and a member of 
the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. 



LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM W. SMITH. 

William W. Smith was born in Tarifville, Conn., June 17, 
1839. He was one of eight children born to John Smith and his 



298 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

wife, Margaret Sinclair, who were both of Scottish birth, and who 
landed in New York from Scotland about 1829. In the city of 
New York the oldest boy was born, the younger members of the 
family being born in Tarifville, Conn., to which place the family 
removed in 1830. The boys were Archie, Daniel, Robert, James 
John and William W. The girls were Margaret and Jeanette. 
From Tarifville, the family removed to Danvers, Mass., in 1846, 
Margaret became Mrs. White and Jeanette became Mrs. Crowell. 

When the excitement caused by the secession of the southern 
states reached Danvers, the young men of that town, like those of 
other towns, organized a splendid company, which at once went 
into camp and drilled every day. Soon they were equipped and 
ready for service. N. P. Fuller was elected captain, William W. 
Smith first lieutenant and Ruel B. Pray second lieutenant. The 
company joined the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers at 
Lynnfield, July 10, 1861. It was designated as Company C, and 
was placed on the left flank of the regiment, thereby gaining the 
second position of importance in that regiment. 

Lieutenant Smith and his three brothers were all members 
of this company. They were William W., Daniel, Robert and 
James. Daniel died while a member of Company C. 

William W. Smith was commissioned first lieutenant August 
21, 1861; captain, July 31, 1862; major, August 4, 1864; and lieu- 
tenant-colonel, June 16, 1865. 

Colonel Smith was a brave and patriotic officer, of commanding 
presence, a good disciplinarian, watchful over the welfare of his 
men, and was at all times ready for duty. He never missed a 
march or a fight that his company took part in. Shortly after the 
close of the war, he married Miss Carrie Goldwaithe of Danvers, 
and soon afterwards removed to Kansas. He is now a resident of 
Topeka in that state, where he has become a successful lawyer, 
and where he is well known in public life. 



MAJOR JOHN E. MULLALLY. 

John E. Mullally was born in Boston, August 22, 1838. His 
father was John Mullally of Templemore, Ireland, who, shortly 



BIOGRAPHIES. 299' 

after going to Halifax, Nova Scotia, married Mary Stewart of that 
city, whose father was a sea captain. There were born of this 
union four boys and three girls. The four boys served with dis- 
tinction in the Union army, three of them in the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts Infantry, and one in another regiment. After 
leaving the Seventeenth, one of the brothers, William Mullally^ 
having served four years in the Volunteers, joined the regular 
cavalry, and went down in glory in the celebrated General Custer 
disaster. 

A few years before the breaking out of the Civil War, the 
family moved from Boston to Danvers, where, after attending 
public schools, as they had done in Boston, the sons took up the 
shoe business for a livlihood. When excitement ran high about 
recruiting and drilling for the inevitable conflict between the North 
and the South, Major Mullally was among the chief organizers 
of the "Foster Guard," of South Danvers. The major, for his 
activity and patriotism, was elected second lieutenant May 10^ 
1861, which was confirmed later when the Guards were incorporated 
into the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry as Company B, 
at Lynnfield, Mass., July 10, 1861. 

Lieutenant Mullally went to the front with his regiment, 
was promoted to first lieutenant December 13, 1861; captain ^^ 
December 29, 1863; and major, June 16, 1865. He served 
out his term of three years and re-enlisted in 1864, to help finish 
up the war. He was never sick, never absent, always on duty,, 
and took part in every march and fight that his company and 
regiment was engaged in. He was a brave man, an efficient 
officer and a good drill master. He was beloved by his own men, 
and was a most companionable and pleasant gentleman among 
commissioned officers. 

During the war he married Miss Ellen Dawes of Boston, 
daughter of Robert J. Dawes of London, England, and Annie 
Dawes of Halifax, Nova Scotia. From this union were born Annie 
D., Bertie B. (Mrs. Lott) Nellie F. (Mrs. Peters), John Robert, 
and Katie E. (Mrs. Mossman), the latter having died in 1900. 

The Dawes family take special pride in the fact that a relative 
of theirs, Robert F. Daws, was noted as a friend and associate 
of Paul Revere during the Revolutionary War. 



300 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

CAPTAIN JAMES SPLAINE. 

James Splaine was born in Aharlow House, County of Cork, 
Ireland, in March, 1839. He was educated in public and private 
schools near his home and in the City of Cork. With the other 
members of his family, he left his native place in 1851, reaching 
Boston, Mass., October 3d of that year, and Haverhill, Mass., 
the same day. He lived in the latter city until the breaking out of 
the Civil War, when catching the prevailing enthusiasm for ad- 
venture, his militant nature prompted him, as it did many young 
men of Massachusetts, to enlist for service in the cause of the Union. 
He was full brother of Colonel Henry Splaine, and is therefore 
entitled to every consideration accorded his brother on account 
of parentage and lineage. 

He enlisted as a private in Company E, unattached. Seven- 
teenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Capt. M. C. McNamara 
of Haverhill, April 21, 1861 ; and was elected third lieutenant shortly 
afterwards. Soon after this the War Department ordered that 
third and fourth lieutenant should be dropped, which placed 
Lieutenant Splaine back in the ranks. Soon after this however, 
he was appointed first sergeant of the company, in which capacity 
he went to the front. After a service of seven months as first 
sergeant, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, 
January 31, 1862, and on December 24 of the same year, was 
furthur promoted to the rank of first lieutenant; and finally after 
the reorganization of the Veteran or new Seventeenth Regiment, 
he was promoted to a captaincy (in Company A,) August 10, 1864. 

Captain James Splaine was about six feet in height, well 
proportioned, of graceful carriage and soldierly bearing. He was 
a good drill-master, liked by his men, companionable among the 
officers, generous, forbearing and forgiving. He made an enviable 
reputation as an intrepid and brave officer. He served all through 
the war, having been in every engagement in which his regiment 
participated. 

One of the veteran comrades who served under Capt^^in Splaine 
in Company A of the new Seventeenth, said to the compiler of 
this history : "Captain Jim Splaine was a fine man, a noble fellow. 




1. Lt.-Col. Wm. W. Smith. 

2. David Wallace, Co. "E' 

3. Lt. William H. Turner. 

4. Lieut. James Inman. 

5. Lieut. Linus B. Comins. 

6. Capt. .John K. Lloyd. 

7. Wm. D'Arcy Hai,ey. 

8. RuFu.s Hart, Co. "C." 

9. Wm. .J. MiRPHY, Co. "C 



10. Lieut. Edward P. Cotting. 

11. Lieut. Henry F. Merrill. 

12. Lieut. Jere A. Greeley. 

13. Capt. D.wid F. Brown. 

14. Capt. Horace Dexter. 

15. Capt. Thomas R. Keenan. 

16. Lieut. Dl. L. Getchell. 

17. Capt. Geo. H. Morrell. 

18. Adjutant Barnabas A. Mann. 



BIOGRAPHIES. 301 

He was one of the bravest officers in the Seventeenth Regiment. 
He never sent his men where he did not go himself. He led them.' ' 
Captain Splaine never married. He died in Lynn, Mass., 
at the age of thirty-five. 



CAPTAIN JOSEPH AUGUSTUS MOORE. 

Joseph A. Moore was born at Gloucester, Mass., February 11, 
1844. After completing his studies in the Gloucester High School, 
and in Philadelphia, Pa., at the age of fifteen years he began his 
studies to become a civil engineer in the office of John B. Henck, 
who was afterwards Professor of Civil Engineering in the Massa- 
chusetts Institute of Technology. 

In July, 1861, at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted as a 
private in Company H, Seventeenth Regiment, Massachusetts 
Volunteers, and was promoted through the different grades (includ- 
ing that of regimental adjutant) to captain, being commissioned as 
captain of a veteran company before he was twenty-one years old. 
His promotion was, it may be said, the result of good conduct, 
zealous and meritorious action in the service, and coolness and 
bravery in times of peril. His promotion in the service was as 
rapid as it was almost singular, and he developed a fine capacity 
in every line of duty he was called upon to act in. 

Among the other duties Captain Moore was called upon to 
discharge was that of acting assistant adjutant-general of the bri- 
gade commanded by Colonel Henry Splaine. He was assigned in 
this capacity to the Third Brigade, and afterwards to the third 
division, 23d Army Corps, and when discharged in July, 1865 was 
acting in this capacity. He was highly recommended by his regi- 
mental, brigade and division commanders for a captaincy in the 
regular army, but sickness, brought on in the line of duty, prevented 
him from obtaining the position. 

It is an old saying that "Blood will tell," — or rather it is a 
recognition of the now acknowledged fact that heredity from a dis- 



302 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

tinguished ancestry has much to do with the makeup of an indivi- 
dual in matters physical, intellectual and moral, and Captain Moore 
is a fine illustration of the truth of this theory, as his ancestry on 
both sides, for several generations (which is here briefly noted) 
will testify. 

William Moore, who was a cousin of Sir Hamilton Moore, set- 
tled at Fresh Water Cove, Gloucester, Mass., where he built a 
house in or before the year 1757. 

In the summer of 1776, while in a boat off Old House Gove, 
and in view of his home, William Moore and his son Joseph, — who 
was born at Gloucester, November 28, 1763, were taken prisoners by 
Captain Lindsay, claiming William Moore as a British subject 
liable to service in the British navy. On the refusal of Moore to 
join the crew of his vessel and act as pilot along the Massachusetts 
shore and become a traitor to his adopted country, he was sent to 
New York as a prisoner of war, and died on board the prison ship 
^'Jersey,' ' remaining loyal to his adopted country to the last. 

His son Joseph, then a mere lad, was set on shore between 
Kettle Cove (now Magnolia) and Manchester, and returned to his 
home. Joseph Moore was twice married,— first to Hannah Pul- 
sifer, February 16, 1794; and second, to Betsey (Elizabeth) Fellows, 
September 26, 1814. The latter was a descendant of William Fellows, 
who settled in Ipswich, Mass., in 1642. By his first wife he had 
three children, and by the second wife, eight children, — one of 
whom, — Joseph, Jr., born January 27, 1817, — was the father of 
Captain Joseph A. Moore. 

Joseph Moore, Jr., married Mary Olive Lane August 19, 1841, 
— Captain Joseph A. Moore being an only child. Mary Olive 
Lane was the daughter of Moses Lane and Olive (Fellows) Lane 
of Ipswich, Mass., — the latter being a daughter of Nathan Fellows, 
who was a soldier of the Revolution. Mrs. Moore died at Roslin- 
dale, Mass., at the home of her son, March 12, 1908, aged eighty- 
seven years, seven months and eleven days, and was buried at 
Mount Adrish Cemetery, Annisquam, Mass. 

Mrs. Moore had also a line of ancestors with interesting pio- 
neer histories. John Lane, who was born about 1653, came to 



BIOGRAPHIES. 303 

Gloucester from Falmouth, Maine, about the close of the seventeenth 
century, probably on the destruction of that place by the Indians. 
He was the son of James Lane, and went with his father, in 1658, 
from Maiden, Mass., to Casco Bay, where he lived until driven 
away by the Indians in the first Indian War. His father was killed 
in a fight with the Indians. One of the descendants of John Lane 
was Moses Lane, who was born December 14, .1781. He married 
Olive Fellows of Ipswich, Mass., who had a son (Moses Augustus) 
and a daughter (Mary Olive) mother of Captain Moore. Moses 
Augustus Lane, uncle of Captain Moore (born January 11, 1823) 
was a gunner (warrant officer) in the United States navy from 1852 
to his retirement, January 11, 1885, and served all through the war 
of the Rebelhon. He died October 31, 1888. 



CAPTAIN CHARLES 0. FELLOWS. 

Charles Oliver Fellows was born in Boston, on February 8, 
1845. When but a mere child his family moved to Chelsea, Mass., 
where Charles spent his early boyhood, and where he attended the 
public schools of that town. During his thirteenth year he was 
sent to Peacham Academy, Vermont, where he studied for a period 
of a year and six months. He then returned to his home in Chelsea. 

Like most American boys, young Fellows longed for adventure, 
and sooner than settle down to mechanical or commercial pursuits, 
he sought a sea-faring life, which would give him an opportunity 
to see strange lands and peoples. He accordingly shipped before 
the mast, and made several voyages to foreign lands, his last cruise 
being from Liverpool to Boston in March, 1861. On his arrival, 
he found the country deeply agitated by the secession of several of 
the Southern States and the prospect of civil war. 

Young Fellows had been home scarcely a month when the cry 
"To arms '."was sounded. Though sixteen years of age, he was 
among the first in Chelsea to enroll himself in Company H of the 
1st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in command of Captain 
Carruth. The boy soldier soon found ample opportunity for his 



304 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

adventurous spirit, for it was not long after enlistment when his 
regiment participated in the battle of Bull Run,which was fought on 
July 21, 1861. He saw some other fighting and some severe ser- 
vice during the fall of 1861, and then, to his surprise, he found him- 
self transferred to the Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment, and 
commissioned second lieutenant on December 13, 1861. He was 
promoted to the rank of first lieutenant August 13, 1862, and 
finally became captain August 4, 1864. 

Captain Fellows was a "chip of the old block," as the saying 
is, his father being lieutenant-colonel of the Seventeenth Massa- 
chusetts, and also a soldier from his sixteenth year. Captain 
Fellows' military spirit seems to have come to him by inheritance, 
his gallant father having been of Revolutionary and 1812 war 
lineage, while on his mother's side (she being Mary Louise Sprague 
of Salem), he inherited equally proud and patriotic blood, the 
Spragues having figured conspicuously in both wars. 

Captain Fellows was a tall, handsome and dashing young 
fellow, an expert at drill, a good commander and a most compan- 
ionable young gentleman. He was liked and respected by officers 
and men, and was a brave, capable and patriotic officer, never 
having missed a march or a fight that his company or regiment 
participated in. 

Captain Fellows was married November 27, 1867. Seven 
children were born to them, six girls and one boy, all now 
living except one daughter, all now married except one daughter. 



CAPTAIN THOMAS R. KEENAN. 

Captain Keenan's first military service in the Civil War was 
as private in the Thirteenth Massachusetts Infantry early in 1861. 
He was second lieutenant in the Seventeenth Massachusetts In- 
fantry in 1862 and first lieutenant in 1863. He was captain in the 
56th Massachusetts Infantry during part of 1864, and became 
lieutenant in the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery during 
the latter part of that year. He then returned to the Seventeenth 




1. Lieut. John B. Hill. 

2. AssT. Sdrg. Chas. G. A. Eaters. 

3. Doctor I. F. Galloupe. 

4. Capt. M. C. M'Na.mara. 

5. Lieut. Samuel'.G. Roberts. 

11. 



6. CoRPL. Andrew J. Tii.TON. 

7. Capt. I. N. Richardson. 
S. Capt. Levi P. Thompson. 

9. Asst. Surg. \Vm. H. W. Hinds. 
10. Capt. Henry B. AVebber. 
Capt. Lewis Cann. 



BIOGRAPHIES. 305 

Massachusetts February 3, 1865, as captain. He was finally mus- 
tered out of service July 11, 1865. 

Captain Keenan was born at Lynnfield, Mass., 1841, and was 
the son of Doctor Keenan, an Irish gentleman of undoubted good 
standing both in his native land and the land of his adoption. 

Captain Keenan's full name was Thomas Romney Van Tromp 
Keenan. He often told the writer that there was a strain of noble 
Dutch blood in his veins, of which he seemed to be very proud. He 
was six feet six inches in his bare feet, straight as an arrow, and was 
soldierly in bearing, and a handsome fellow. He was well educated 
and suave and gentlemanly in his relations with everyone. His 
conduct was at all times above reproach, and he commanded the 
respect of all the officers and men of the regiment. 

He was brave to a fault, and never shirked any responsibility 
or duty which fell to him. He was a proficient drill-master, a 
good disciplinarian without being cruel, and was indeed an officer 
his men were proud to follow. 

Captain Keenan saw considerable service in several regiments. 
He was shot through the neck, in action, in 1864. He never 
fully recovered from the effects of this wound, which finally caused 
his death early in 1867. 



CAPTAIN LEWIS CANN. 

Lewis Cann was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1837, and 
was the second son of Samuel and Mary Anne (Shaw) Cann. Lewis 
settled in Danvers, Mass., in 1852, and, in 1859, married Miss 
Eliza A. Webb of Danvers, Mass. From this union were born 
six children — Lewis A., Herbert L., Emma Jane, William W., 
Francis W. and Elmer E. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, when excitement 
ran high, Lewis Cann, like many others, being stirred with patriot- 
ism, joined Company C of Danvers, which organization became 
part of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. As an 
enlisted man he proved to be a good soldier. He was neat and 
orderly and respectful to his superiors. He had not served very 



306 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

long before his good qualities became so apparent that he was made 
sergeant of his company. New honors awaited him, for on April 
26, 1863, he was commissioned second lieutenant, and on May 4, 
1864, he was promoted to the position of first lieutenant, and finally 
became captain November 21, 1864. 

As a soldier and a commissioned officer, Captain Cann was all 
that his superior officers could wish for. He was a model soldier 
and officer; was a good drill-master, a fine company commander 
and brave and patriotic. He was tactful, resourceful and never 
lost his presence of mind, even under the most trying circum- 
stances. The writer recalls two occasions in the service of Cap- 
tain Cann, where his coolness and bravery enabled him to save 
his company from capture by the Confederates. The first occasion 
was at Batchelder's Creek, N. C, February 1, 1864, where a de- 
tachment of his regiment was deserted and was being surrounded 
by a large force of the enemy. When the command was called 
upon to surrender, Captain Cann, with his company, made a bold 
dash for the woods, and, although bullets flew thick and fast, the 
little command escaped with the loss of a very few men. 

During this daring movement. Captain Cann and his little 
company reached the camp of the One hundred and thirty-second 
New York Infantry, and although the captain knew that his posi- 
tion was a dangerous one, he delayed long enough to destroy 
nearly all the camp and garrison equipage, and such other stores 
as would be of use to the enemy. He then pulled down the gar- 
rison flag and saved it, and as he and his men were going out at 
one side of the camp the Confederates were rushing in at the other 
side. He made a long detour to avoid the enemy and reached his 
camp in Newbern the next day. 

The second occasion where Captain Cann's coolness and brav- 
ery enabled him to save his company from capture was on March 
9, 1865, at the battle of Wise's Forks, N. C, when he and his com- 
pany were detached and connected, temporarily, with the brigade 
of Colonel Upham of General Carter's division of General Schofield's 
army. Captain Cann and his company were doing picket duty on 
the extreme left of the brigade, and observing that the Confederates 
were marching clear around the brigade, he at once notified the 
brigade commander of the danger, but was told to return to his 




1. 


R. P. Newman. 




7. 


Herbert Splainb. 


2. 


Lieut. Thomas W. Foster. 




8. 


Geo. F. Putnam, Co. " C." 


3. 


Lieut. Chas. C. Morse. 




9. 


Capt. Sidney C. B.\n croft 


4. 


Sergeant Frank G. Kelley, Co. 


"G." 


10. 


Chas. E. Flanders. 


6. 


Sergt. Michael Carney. 




11. 


J. B. MOORES. 


«. 


Joseph G. Kelley. 




12. 


Amos Homans. 



13. 1st Lieut. Michael Bur.nts. 



BIOGRAPHIES, 307 

post, and hold it if possible. Bad conditions became worse, until 
finally the enemy charged the position, capturing the whole brigade 
except Captain Cann and his company. Upon being called upon 
to surrender, the company answered with a volley, then made their 
escape through the thicket, and joined their regiment on the fol- 
lowing morning. During this movement, Captain Cann lost two 
men, taken prisoners, and had four others wounded. This feat, at 
the time, was regarded by all concerned as a wise and brave act. 
When Captain Cann reported to his regiment with company al- 
most intact, he was warmly congratulated and thanked by Colonel 
Splaine for his bravery and well-timed dash through the cordon 
which the enemy had almost completed around General Upham's 
brigade. 

Well may Captain Cann's children be proud of their gallant 
father; well may the mother be proud of her children's father; 
and well may his town, state and nation be proud of Captain Lewis 
Cann. 



CAPTAIN MALCOLM SILLARS. 

Malcolm Sillars is a native of Ryegate, Vt., where he was born 
September 17, 1837. When but eight years of age, his parents 
removed to North Andover, Mass., where he went to school in 
1850, when his family removed to Danvers, Mass., where he con- , 
tinued his education in the public schools of that town. His 
first work was in Stevens' factory in North Andover, where flannel 
goods were made. In Danvers he worked in Tapley's carpet 
factory, but this work not being to his liking, he started in to 
learn the trade of shoemaking in a shoe factory in Danvers. 

Malcolm and his brother William Sillars, who was yoimger, 
worked at the same business until the breaking out of the Civil 
War in 1861, when both enlisted in Company C, which was after- 
wards incorporated in the Seventeenth Regiment Volunteer 
Infantry. His father, Donald Sillars, also enlisted in Company K, 
23d Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. His brother, 
William died in Baltimore of typhoid fever, and his father was 



308 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

killed in the attack on Newbern, N. C, when that city was captured 
by the troops under General Burnside. 

Captain Sillars enlisted as a private, but soon after the regi- 
ment reached Baltimore, Md., he was promoted to the rank of 
corporal, and in North Carolina was promoted to first sergeant. 
Afterward, on January 4, 1864, he was again promoted to quarter- 
master-sergeant of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment. 
On July 4, 1864, he received his commission as second lieutenant, 
and was assigned to Company H of that regiment. 

When the term of enlistment of the men of the regiment 
expired, about one-third of the officers and men re-enlisted for the 
war. Lieutenant Sillar's was one of them. He was promoted to 
first lieutenant, September 1, 1864, and to captain August 4, 1864. 

It will thus be seen that from the time of his enlistment on 
April 23, 1861, until his muster-out, July 11, 1865, about four 
years and three months, his rise from the ranks was steady and 
continuous, his promotion being the result of devotion to duty and 
efficient service as a soldier. What is most remarkable in his case 
is that during his whole term of enlistment, and amid the fatigues 
of the march and perils of the field, as well as danger from malaria, 
he was never sick or unfit for duty during the whole term of his 
service. 

After his return from the war, he entered politics, and was 
elected to the State Legislature from Danvers in 1886 and 1887. 
In the latter year he projected a comprehensive plan for the en- 
largement, or rather the extension of the State House, and advo- 
cated the taking of the old reservoir lot on Beacon Hill for that 
purpose. (Curiously enough, the compiler of this memorial 
history, who was on the staff of the "Boston Herald' ' was appraised 
of the project at the time, and wrote up the scheme, which was 
published in the "Sunday Herald" of May 15, 1887.) This 
scheme, which later bore fruit in the present remodeled State House 
and its extention, was afterwards appropriated from the originator 
without credit. It was first known as the "Sillars Plan,' ' and was 
received by the press and public throughout the State with such 
favor that it was ultimately adopted and carried out in the State 
House as it is today. 




Roland F. Lewis. 



BIOGRAPHIES. 309 

Captain Sillars has for many years held the office of inspector 
in the District Police of Massachusetts, and up to July, 1908, was 
on active duty. At that time he was taken sick with stomach 
trouble, from which he suffered greatly, but he is now on the fair 
road to recovery. His iron consititution will no doubt pull him 
through all right. 

Among his other services to his country, Captain Sillars has 
the honor of being the father of one of the largest families in 
Massachusetts, and one of the finest also. On August 20, 1861, 
he married Sarah Putnam Fuller, daughter of Daniel W. and 
Clarissa (Putnam) Fuller. By this marriage there were five sons 
and two daughters, three of the sons and one daughter of whom died 
in infancy, and two of the sons and one daughter are living; 
namely, Henry M., born May 16, 1864; Walter A., born June 15, 
1866; AUce P., born July 20, 1870. His wife, Sarah P., died 
November 20, 1874. On September 10, 1876, he married Sarah 
E. McDermott, daughter of Charles and Mary (Donnelly) Mc- 
Deijiiott. By this marriage there were thirteen children; seven 
daughters and six sons, namely, Elizabeth, born October 30, 1877; 
Malcolm, born December 8, 1878; Mary, born March 29, 1880; 
Helen M., born January 24, 1882; Charles D.,born August 6, 1883; 
James McC, born August 8, 1885; Susan, born November 8, 1886; 
Alexander M., born January 24, 1888; Wilham A., born February 
15, 1889; Sarah E., born December 25, 1891; Blanche Janet, born 
March 11, 1895; Fred G., born February 23, 1897; and Pauline R., 
born July 14, 1898. Thus, in all. Captain Sillars is the father of 
twenty children, sixteen of whom are living; a family any man may 
well be proud of, and may they prove worthy successors of noble 
parents. There is no "race suicide' ' in this fine family. 



FIRST LIEUTENANT JAMES SMITH. 

Lieutenant James Smith was one of four brothers who joined 
Company C of Danvers, at the out-break of the Civil War, as a 
private. He is a full brother of Lieut.-Col. Wilham W, Smith, 



310 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

of the same regiment, and is therefore, entitled to all the honor of 
race and parentage that his brother, Colonel Smith can boast. 

Lieutenant Smith, although a private at the opening of the 
war, soon forged his way to the front, becoming in turn, sergeant, 
1st sergeant , 2d and 1st lieutenant in his own regiment. During 
his long term of service he showed himself at all times an able, 
brave and upright soldier and officer. He was a man of unblemish- 
ed character; dear to his associate officers and men, and as one who 
reflected honor on his company, his town, state and nation. 

He has been a successful farmer and merchant in his adopted 
state of Kansas, where he now resides, admired and respected in 
his declining years by all who know him. Lieutenant Smith has 
helped with material and good advice in the writing of his regi- 
mental history. 



ROLAND FRANK LEWIS. 
(One of the Committee on History.) 

Roland F. Lewis was born in Salem, Mass., October 28, 1844. 
On July 1, 1861, when but a schoolboy in his seventeenth year, 
he enlisted for three years in the Kimball Guards of Rockport, 
on Fire Island, Salem, Mass., which was mustered in as Company 
G, of the Seventeenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. 
He participated in all the marches and campaigns of the regiment 
in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. He re-enlisted in the 
field to serve in the new organization of the Seventeenth, in 
Company A, and served with it to the end of the war, having an 
honorable record as a soldier. 

After his discharge he was employed in New York, and later 
learned a trade, and worked for ten years at Beverly, In 1886, 
he was appointed watchman in the United States Sub-Treasury 
in Boston, which position he has held ever since. 



BIOGRAPHIES. 311 

RICHARD PURTILL, ALBERT J. COOK, BENJAMIN P. 
ROGERS, SAMUEL J. FORD, ANDREW P. LEWIS. 

Andrew Park Lewis, Jr., was born at Newburj^ort, Mass., 
January 19, 1843. He was enrolled as a member of the "City 
Grays" of Newburyport, May 10, 1861, which corps afterwards 
became Company A, of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry 
Volunteers, and was mustered into the United States service at 
Lynnfield, Mass., July 22, 1861. 

Lewis, after serving his term of enlistment, re-enlisted as a 
veteran volunteer on January, 4, 1864. He was private and cor- 
poral in Company A, and was transferred to Company F, as 
sergeant in February, 1865. He was on all marches and in all 
fights in which his regiment and company participated. He was 
mustered out at the close of the war, July 11, 1865. 

Albert James Cook was born at Newburyport, Mass., Sep- 
tember 8, 1841. He was enrolled in the "City Grays" of New- 
buryport on May 10, 1861, which corps afterwards became 
Company A, of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers 
and was mustered into the United States service at Lynnfield, 
Mass., July 22, 1861. 

After having served his term of enlistment in the field, he 
re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer, January 5, 1864. He was 
private and corporal in his company, and was on all the marches 
and in all the engagements in which his company and regiment 
took part. He was mustered out of service at the close of the 
war, July 11, 1865. 

Samuel James Ford was born at Newburyport, Mass., June 12, 
1843. He enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Massachusetts 
Regiment, October 26, 1861. He re-enlisted in the field as a 
veteran volunteer on January 4, 1864. He served as private and 
corporal in his company, and was transferred to Company E, 
February 9, 1865. He was mustered out at expiration of service, 
July 11, 1865. He participated in all the engagements in which 
his company and regiment took part, and never lost a march. 



312 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Richard Purtill was born at Newburyport, Mass., July 22, 
1847. He enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Massachusetts 
Regiment, March 1, 1862, and re-enlisted in the field as a veteran 
volunteer on January 5, 1864. He was transferred as corporal 
to Company F, in February, 1865. 

Purtill was the youngest man bearing arms in the regiment 
at the time of his first enlistment, he then being only fourteen 
years and eight months old. 

Richard Purtill's father, John Purtill, served in the same com- 
pany and regiment with his son during the war. They never 
missed a march or an engagement in which their regiment partici- 
pated. Both were mustered out of service at the close of the war, 
July 11, 1865. 

Benjamin Proctor Rogers was born in Byfield, Rowley, Mass., 
1845. He was enlisted in the ''City Grays" of Newburyport, 
May 21, 1861, which afterwards became Company A, of the 
Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment, and was mustered into the 
United States service at Lynnfield, Mass., July 22, 1861. He 
enlisted in the field as a veteran volunteer, January 4, 1864. 

Rogers took part in all marches and fights that his company 
and regiment were engaged in. He was mustered out of service 
at the close of the war, July 11, 1865. 

The writer of the foregoing sketches has good reason to know 
whereof he writes when he says that the five men whose portraits 
are grouped at the opening of these sketches, were good, brave, 
patriotic and well-tried soldiers in the service of their country. 
Their unselfishness is well proven when the reader realizes that 
the cost of the portraits and the sketches herewith given has been 
defrayed by themselves, thereby making no cost to the committee 
on History. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Taking the Field— March 4, 1865— Splaine's Brigade— Com- 
position OF — General Carter Commanding Division; 
General Cox Commanding the Corps and General 
Schofield Commanding the Army — Skirmishing with the 
Enemy — Throwing up Works at Wise's Forks — A Real 
Romance of the War — Charles S. Bolton, a Hero — Bat- 
tle OF Wise's Forks, Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4— Captain Fish's 
Pop Guns — Strengthening our Works — A War Song — 
Capture of Upham's Brigade, as told by General Car- 
ter — Complete Victory, with Joy around the Camp Fires. 

To resume our narrative: The command reached Newbern 
at 5:30 on the morning of the 4th of March, 1865, and proceeded 
at once by train to Batchelder's Creek, and thence by march to 
Core Creek reaching there at 4:45 p. m. Here Colonel Splaine 
received orders to take command of the Third Brigade, second Di- 
vision, District of Beaufort, the division being commanded by Bri- 
gadier General S. P. Carter. Splaine's Brigade consisted of the 
Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers, Twenty-fifth Massachu- 
setts Volunteers, Third New York Heavy Artillery and five hun- 
dred men of western regiments who had been unable to join their 
own command. These latter were organized into a battalion and 
commanded by the senior captain. 

On the morning of March 5th, at 7 a. m., took up the march 
for Dover Cross Roads, reaching that point at 4 :30 p. m. On March 
6, at noon, took up the march for Wise's Forks, the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts of Splaine's Brigade having the advance. 

About 3 p. M., the brigade was resting on the railroad bed, — 
General Carter and staff being in the act of selecting a defensive 

[313] 



314 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

position, as they knew the enemy was in close proximity, — when 
suddenly firing was heard in the direction taken by Carter, and 
almost immediately after a staff officer came galloping back with 
the report that Carter's party had been fired upon and was in dan- 
ger of capture. Thereupon Splaine sprang into his saddle, shout- 
ing: "Major Smith, bring the brigade up in quick time! First 
company of the Seventeenth forward, double quick!' ' and on reach- 
ing the scene of the firing, ordered: " First platoon as skirmishers! 
Second platoon in reserve! Give it to them, lads!" There was brisk 
firing for a few minutes, the men of the Seventeenth driving the 
enemy and capturing two of them. Captain Thomas of General 
Carter's staff had his hat shot away, and although the party escaped 
uninjured, it is safe to say that were it not for the prompt action 
of the men of the Seventeenth, Carter and his party would have 
been captured and perhaps injured. SjDlaine's brigade now coming 
up, was at once assigned to a place on the extreme left of the posi- 
tion, which a few days after became the scene of the battle of 
Wise's Forks. Shortly afterwards the divisions of Palmer and 
Ruger came up and were posted further to the right. Activity was 
now the order of the day, and everyone helped to throw up breast- 
works, which were greatly strengthened the following day, as will 
be more fully told in Comrade Hugh Young's account of the battle, 
which follows. 

On March 7, work on the line of defences continued, and when 
night came the troops were well entrenched and ready for anything. 



A REAL ROMANCE OF WAR. 

Just here it may not be out of place to relate a peculiar and 
unusual circumstance of the war — a romantic incident, in fact. 
The morning report for March 7, of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, 
a part of Splaine's brigade, showed one captain absent without 
leave. Captain Harrington, in command of that regiment, was 
called to headquarters to explain the absence of the missing man. 
He stated that the young man was about to marry an estimable 



SPLAINE S BRIGADE. 



315 



young lady residing in Newbern, the daughter of an army officer, 
not a combatant, and that all preparations had been made for the 
wedding, invitations sent out, etc., when the forward movement 
of the army was announced. 

Then the young captain applied to General Palmer for leave 
of two days to fulfil his promise of marriage. This request was 
refused. The young captain was in a sad phght. What was he 
to do? Should he refuse, then, the maiden of his choice, and disap- 
point her and their many friends, or was he to disobey the orders 
of his superiors in the army? He very gallantly chose the awfully 
dangerous course of leaving camp without leave sooner than break 
his promise to the woman he loved. 

Upon receiving this information, Colonel Splaine requested 
Captain Harrington to change the morning report, but received a 
flat refusal. Splaine said, "You will, captain;" and the captain 
answered that he would not. Splaine then turned to headquarters 
clerk and said, ''Make out an order for Captain F.of the Twenty- 
fifth Massachusetts and a sergeant and ten men of the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts to proceed to Newbern for the purpose of storing 
knapsacks and certain camp and garrison equipage hastily left be- 
hind and now improperly stored, — the officers and men to return 
to their commands as soon as the work has been done.' ' 

Splaine rode over to the headquarters of General Cox and ex- 
plained the facts to him. His approval was freely given, and the 
sergeant and ten men went to Newbern on the next train, the 
sergeant taking a confidential letter from Colonel Splaine to Cap- 
tain F. telling the captain what had transpired at the front and 
advising him to see that the property referred to was stored with an 
authorized quartermaster, to consummate his marriage as he had 
agreed to and then return to the front with all haste. 

Harrington was compelled to change the morning report, and 
gallant captain F. was saved from a courtmartial. The captain 
was married according to program, stored the property, taking the 
quartermaster's receipt for it, and in command of the detail, re- 
turned to his regiment on the 9th of March. He was not back 
more than an hour when he was ordered to take charge of his 
company on the skirmish line, and he had not been out there more 



316 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

than two hours before he was wounded. The wound was a bad one, 
but not necessarily dangerous. 

Colonel Splaine learning from the surgeon that Captain F. 
could bear a short ride on the train, had the young hero sent to his 
bride that same afternoon. Although she nursed him tenderly, 
he was never able to rejoin his regiment. He recovered his full 
strength in time, and was honorably discharged. Colonel Splaine 
knew the bride personally, and knew her to be a charming daugh- 
ter of Massachusetts. (Within recent years Colonel Splaine has 
learned that the couple reside in the western country, living happily 
and prosperously and blessed with many children.) 



A HERO OF COMPANY A, SEVENTEENTH. 

In the afternoon of March 7, Colonel Splaine sent for Charles 
S. Bolton of Company A, and said to him: "Bolton, I have your 
furlough at last. Here it is, and transportation also, and now I 
want you to take the next train for Newbern, and there board the 
first steamer going North." Bolton asked if the next day would 
not do as well. Colonel Splaine said that the soldier must go today 
and that the train would start in about an hour's time. Bolton 
said, "Well, colonel, I don't see any need of hurry about it. I 
have my furlough, and that is the main thing.' ' 

Becoming a little irritated at the obstinacy of the soldier, 
Splaine said, "Now, Bolton, you know that I have worked like 
a beaver to secure your furlough, which has been unlawfully kept 
from you for over a year. You know that my first official act, 
after taking command of the regiment,was to place you in Company 
A, the company of your choice at re-enlistment, and which right 
had been denied you by officers high in rank. You are the only 
one of the veterans who re-enlisted in the field who has not been 
home to see your friends, and now here you are, with furlough and 
transportation in your hand, and yet you hesitate about going 
home." 






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splaine's brigade. 317 

Bolton still stubborn, said: "Colonel, you seem to be in a 
hurry to get rid of me. Why won't you let me remain until to- 
morrow?' ' Colonel Splaine said: "Now, no more nonsense about 
it. Start for that train and go home and see your friends while 
you have the opportunity to do so. This may be a very long march 
and as we go into the interior, circumstances may arise which will 
destroy your chances of ever enjoying that furlough among your 
friends." Bolton said: "Ah, colonel, I know what the trouble 
is. You know that we are going to have a battle and don't want 
me to take part in it, for you fear that I might not go home to my 
friends with a whole skin." — "No, No, Bolton. I simply want 
you to go home on your well-earned furlough, — and now start for 
the train." 

Bolton, still declining to take the advice of his commander, 
said he preferred to wait until the morrow. Colonel Splaine, feel- 
ing for the poor fellow, thought he would tell him something that 
would send him running for the train. He said: "Well, Charley, 
I may as well tell you — but you must not tell anybody else — we 
fight tomorrow, and therefore I want you to go right home and 
enjoy your furlough." Bolton looked at his commander a 
moment, and then said: "I won't go home, but will stay with 
my comrades and help them to fight it out.' ' 

He stayed with his command, and on the morrow, in Splaine's 
old veteran company, Bolton had all the fighting he wanted. At 
one time during the day, when his company and others had cap- 
tured a piece of cannon from the enemy, his command was over- 
powered and compelled to make a hasty retreat. Bolton, among 
others, was badly wounded, and in order to save himself, crawled 
under the bank of a stream, where he laid twenty -two hours, partly 
immersed in the water, and when found by his comrades next day, 
was more dead than alive. During his hiding he did not dare to 
call for help, fearing that such calls would bring enemies instead of 
friends. 

The surgeon said it was fortunate that Bolton's wounded limb 
had lain in the water so long, as the chill produced by the water 
probably saved his life, but it was probable that amputation of 
the leg would become a necessity. As time went on, however, the 



318 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

surgeon concluded that the wounded man was doing so well that he 
had hopes of his recovery without having to resort to amputation. 

After many weeks Bolton was so far restored to health that he 
was sent home on an indefinite furlough, — not his veteran furlough, 
and was finally discharged with honor from the army in which he 
had so bravely served. 

Charles S. Bolton was a brave soldier, and later became an 
honorable citizen of Roxbury, Mass. He served for many years 
as superintendent of Faneuil Hall, but up to the day of his death 
was not free from suffering on account of his wound, and was com- 
pelled to wear crutches all the time. He is survived by a son, Hon. 
Fred E. Bolton, who is well-known among prominent Bostonians, 
and who, at this writing, is one of the principal assessors of Boston. 



The next day, March 8, 1865, the battle of Wise's Forks 
opened. This battle, together with a preliminary account of the 
assemblage and movements of the Union troops engaged in it, is 
well and graphically described by Private Hugh Young of Com- 
pany B, Seventeenth Massachusetts, as follows: 

BATTLE OF WISE'S FORKS. 



Union Forces Engaged in it; Their Movements and Incidents 
Leading up to it. 

By Hugh Young, a Minute Man of '61. 

Hugh Young enlisted in the Civil War at Lynn, Mass., April 
15, 1861, in Company F, Eighth Massachusetts Militia, for three 
months' service, and was discharged therefrom August 1, 1861. 
His next enlistment was in the United States Navy at Boston, 
Mass., September 27, 1861, for one year, during which time he 
served on the barque "Ethan Allen" and on the ship "National 
Guard,' ' and was discharged from the last named vessel at the city 
of New York, September 30, 1862. 



splaine's brigade. 319 

He again enlisted in Company F, Eighth Massachusetts Regi- 
ment Infantry at Boston, Mass., for nine months, and served from 
October 31, 1862, until the regiment was mustered out August 

7, 1863. 

His last enlistment was at Lynn, Mass., February 22, 1864, 
in Company C, Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment. In July 
of the same year he was transferred to Company B of the same 
regiment, and discharged therefrom July 11, 1865, at Greensboro, 
North Carolina, and received honorable discharge papers at Read- 
ville, Mass., July 27, 1865. 

Part I. 

On the second of March, Carter's division was ordered to the 
intersection of the Neuse and Dover roads, leaving one brigade 
there, moving thence by the Dover road to the crossing of Core 
Creek, and Palmer's division was to march by the railroad, send- 
ing artillery and wagons under escort of Carter's division. Heavy 
rains so increased the difficulties of moving through a country 
which at best is an almost continuous swamp, that it was not until 
the 4th that the two divisions reached their destination. 

Our brigade (the third of Carter's division) was composed of 
the following troops: The Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry, 
commanded by Major W. W. Smith; Company A, Third New York 
Artillery, commanded by Captain Samuel P. Russell; and the 
Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, commanded by Captain 
Samuel Harrington; and four hundred provisional troops from 
Camp Distribution, Virginia. The following were announced as 
officers of the brigade: Captain J. A. Moore of the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts, acting assistant adjutant general, acting assistant 
inspector general and acting aide-de-camp; Lieutenant Horace 
Dexter, Seventeenth Massachusetts, Brigade quartermaster; Assist- 
ant Surgeon John T. Walton, One hundred third Pennsylvania 
Infantry, brigade surgeon; the brigade being commanded by Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Henry Splaine of the Seventeenth Massachusetts, 
and the division by Brigadier-General S. P. Carter. Our brigade was 
fortunate in being under the general direction of these officers . The 



320 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

division commander brought with him from the western armies, 
a high reputation for every soldierly quality, and the brigade com- 
mander was personally known as a brave and gallant officer, whose 
lead it was an honor to follow. 

On the 4th, Ruger's division of the Twenty-third corps having 
arrived at Newbern, was ordered to join Palmer at Core Creek, 
which it did on the evening of the fifth, at which time also the re- 
pair of the railroad to Core Creek was completed. There being 
but fifty wagons for all purposes in the whole district, but little 
quartermaster's stores accompanied the army, and, although we 
were short of rations, on the same date, — the 5th, — an order was 
issued for further advance. 

"Headquarters District of Beaufort, 
Core Creek, N. C, March 5, 1865. 

"The first and second divisions, district of Beaufort, will move 
at seven o'clock tomorrow morning to position at Gum Swamp, 
beyond the crossing of the railroad and the Dover Road. The 
Infantry of General Palmer's division will move directly up the 
railroad; wagons and artillery moving by the most practicable 
route to the rear onto the Dover road, and thence to Gum Swamp, 
in rear of General Carter's division and train. General Carter's 
division will move by the Dover road. General Ruger's division. 
Twenty-third corps, will remain in camp tomorrow, but General 
Ruger will cause a working party to be put on the cross-road lead- 
ing from the railroad to the Dover road near General Carter's 
present camp, and have the roads put in thorough repair for passing 
teams and artillery. 

"By command of Major-General Cox. 

Theo. Cox, Major and Assistant Adjutant General." 

On March 6, the cavalry on the Trent road was ordered to 
advance and open communication with the column by way of Wise's 
Forks, if practicable. One squadron and the company of Captain 
Graham (First Regiment, North Carolina Union Troops,) with 
two howitzers, were detached and ordered across the Neuse road 
to observe and guard it, and the brigade of Carter's division re- 
joined the command. 




1. Major JoxES Frankle. 7. 

2. William H. Eaton, Co. " B." S. 

3. 1st Lieut. Henry G. Hyde. 9. 

4. Joshua Younger, Co. "G". 10. 

5. Sergt. Joseph C. Richardson. 11. 

6. Herman r. Morse, Co. "G". I'i. 

13. Rurus L. Gilman, Co. 



C.\PT. Thomas O. \^'eir. 
Thomas H. Jackman of PEAnoDY. 
Major Luther Day. 
Lieut. James Smith. 
John H. Tyler, Co. "G." 
I,iEUT. Thomas W. Goodwin ,JCo. "A.' 
'F." 



splaine's brigade. 321 

Classon's brigade of Palmer's division being thrown forward 
as an advance guard toward Wise's Forks, at a point near Tracy 
Swamp, met the enemy in a pretty strong position. Captain Gra- 
ham, however, with his howitzers, aided by two companies of the 
One hundred thirty-second New York Infantry, under Captain 
Green, drove the enemy from position to position until finally 
Wise's Forks was reached about 4 p. m., on March 6th. 

Although the railroad had only been completed two miles be- 
yond Core Creek, and the troops were short of rations, on Tuesday 
morning, the seventh inst.. General Cox ordered a further advance, 
and Palmer sent his second brigade (Classon's) forward to the 
Dover road crossing of Southwest Creek, one mile and a half in 
front of Wise's Forks, and his other two brigades were ordered to 
advance. The first brigade was sent up the railroad with Colonel 
James Stewart's Ninth New Jersey Infantry in advance. This 
brigade was composed of the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery 
serving as infantry, and was commanded by Brigadier-General 
Harland, U. S. A. The advance guard encountered the pickets 
of the enemy near the British road. The skirmishers pressed on 
vigorously, driving the Confederates into their works. Here was 
discovered a work of the enemy mounting two pieces of artillery, 
which opened fire upon our advance; but by a well-directed fire 
from a section of Captain Mercer's Battery C, Third New York 
Artillery, aided by the skirmishers of the Ninth New Jersey, the 
guns of the enemy were soon silenced. The Twenty-third Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, Colonel John M. Raymond, furnished a gallant 
support for this section. 

The third Brigade, under command of Colonel Horace Bough- 
ton, consisting of the Eighteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and two 
battalions of provisional troops, were moved to the crossing of the 
railroad at Southwest Creek to command that point. 

General Cox directed Carter to support Palmer, and Carter 
marched his division from Gum Swamp (where it had encamped 
the preceding night) toward Wise's Forks, below Southwest Creek, 
and five miles from Kinston, where we arrived on the afternoon of 
the seventh, and that night bivouacked in a pine grove; and from 
there the second brigade (Colonel Upham) of Carter's division 



322 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

moved down the British road to Jackson's Mills, near Southwest 
Creek, and relieved the second brigade, first division. The second 
brigadeof Carter's division was composed of the Fifteenth Connecti- 
cut Infantry, Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Infantry and a batta- 
lion of provisional troops, the brigade being commanded by Colo- 
nel Charles L. Upham of the Fifteenth Connecticut. A detach- 
ment of the Twelfth New York Cavalry was ordered to scout the 
country well to the left of Upham's command, and to protect that 
flank, one section of Battery I, Third New York Artillery, being 
sent to help Upham in maintaining his position, this point being 
about two miles west of Wise's Forks on the Dover road. Ruger's 
division was now ordered from Core Creek to Gum Swamp, ar- 
riving there about noon, where it would be about three miles from 
Palmer and Carter, and could support either in case of need. 

In the meantime, the Twelfth New York Cavalry, Colonel 
James L. Savage, had dismantled all the bridges over Southwest 
Creek, while Upham's, Harland's, Boughton's and Classon's bri- 
gades had found the enemy strongly entrenched, and a brisk skir- 
mish took place, which after a while died down to picket-firing for 
the night, a chain of pickets being now established from right to 
left for six miles along our front and flanks. 

The march from Newbern to Wise's Forks, over roads and 
swamps softened by recent storms, made heavy marching for the 
troops. The roads most of the way were heavily blockaded by 
felled trees, which had to be cut through to allow the passage of 
our wagons, and our pioneers were often compelled to stand knee 
deep in water while corduroying the roads with brush and logs to 
enable our artillery and wagons to pass over them. The laugh of 
hundreds sounded along the column as some one in the darkness 
would walk into the mire; then when a dry spot of ground was 
reached the victims proceeded to empty the mud and water from 
their shoes and to wring it from their stockings and then resumed 
their march. 

Meanwhile Colonel Wright's men were rapidly rebuilding the 
railroad connecting Newbern with Kinston, the whole scene being 
enlivened by an occasional brush with Whitford's Confederate 
Cavalry. 



splaine's brigade. 323 

At Wise's Forks, the first brigade of Carter's division (Colonel 
Adam J. Malloy commanding), consisting of the Eighty-fifth New 
York Infantry and two battalions of provisional troops, was placed 
with its left resting on the Dover road and the third brigade of the 
same division, under command of Colonel Henry Splaine, was sta- 
tioned on the south side of the same road, nearly in line with the 
first brigade. 

Our army was not expected to take the aggressive until the 
railroad should be further advanced, or supplies for the troops 
received by the river; but in the interval, to carry on a detaining 
engagement, pending the arrival of General Couch's troops, then 
marching from Wilmington to join us in an effort to form a junction 
with Sherman's army, which at that time was stubbornly fighting 
its way north against the Confederate army under General Joseph 
E. Johnston. 

In the meantime, our brigade had been ordered to throw up 
breastworks. But picks, spades and axes we had none, for like 
everything else, except ammunition, there was a scant supply, and 
no one would lend us the needed implements. Despite that fact, 
however, in a short time a few axes suddenly appeared in our bri- 
gade. Query, — where did they come from? Colonel Splaine said 
the men were honest enough to steal them. It was evident he knew 
the facts. But few logs, however, could be laid for works that 
night, and the troops, tired from the march, despite the incessant 
firing of the pickets, were soon in the land of Nod, but with the 
soldiers receptive ear ever on the alert to awaken him when needed. 



324 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Part II. 

A Sharp Fight — Capture of Our Second Brigade by the 
Enemy — They Advance on Our Works — Fighting for 
Time — Ruger's Division Comes to Our Aid — Repulse 
OF the Enemy — Heroic Attempt to Capture a Gun From 
the Enemy — Notable Career of General Carter — 
Scenes at Our Works — Death of Corporal Kay — Build- 
ing Breastworks Under Difficulties — A Cold Storm 
and a Cheerless Bivouac. 

General Schofield having arrived at Newbern on the 7th, was 
now, on the morning of the 8th, on the field with General Cox. 
At early dawn our cavalry reported a strong force in our front, and 
from citizens and negroes who came within our lines, it was learned 
that the enemy in our front consisted of a division under Major- 
General R. F. Hoke, aided by a force under Major General D. B. 
Hill, and that they were being rapidly re-enforced by General 
Joseph E. Johnston; and it was not long before they vigorously 
attacked our advanced posts. The firing soon became heavy, and 
as horses, riderless and wild with the furious tumult, came bounding 
toward our works, some wounded and limping, and one, I remember 
with the saddle under his body, we all knew there was warm work 
ahead. 

"Fayetteville, March 7, 1865, 2 p. m. 
" General Braxton Bragg : 

"I have instructed Major-General Hill, Smithfield, to join 
you for battle. At present they are S. D. Lee's corps, commanded 
by General Hill, and three brigades of Stewart's. Cheatham's 
corps and the remainder of Stewart's were to leave Chesterville 
by railroad on Sunday. When they come up, Stewart will com- 
mand, and the force be more than doubled. 

J. E. Johnston, 

''War Records. General." 

Vol. XLVII, Part 2, Page 1340.' ' 

About this time, up dashed to our works a gun of the Third 
New York Artillery, which, quickly unlimbering in the rear of our 



splaine's brigade. 325 

'brigade, entered lively into the dispute by tossing shells over into 
the right of the enemy's lines, to which their artillery quickly re- 
sponded with shot and shell, and with a range and vigor which 
seemed to imply: ''You Yankees shall never join Sherman." 
Though we had two batteries in our division, but not wishing to 
develop our lines to Bragg, we were using but two pieces of artillery 
at our works on the left. 

At this time the second brigade of Carter's division, composed 
of the Fifteenth Connecticut and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts 
Regiments and a detachment of western troops, — all commanded 
by Colonel C. L. Upham of the Fifteenth Connecticut — was 
defending the crossing of the British and Dover roads (about two 
miles in advance of any support,) when about ten o'clock a. m., 
the enemy opened on Upham with artillery, which was returned 
by his guns, and the skirmish line became briskly engaged. Re- 
ceiving information that a body of the enemy was moving upon a 
road to his left, Upham ordered the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts 
into the woods at his left, forming a line at right angles to the 
Fifteenth Connecticut, with skirmishers thrown out on both 
flanks, when the enemy was soon discovered in the thick under- 
brush, they having through the negligence of the cavalry vidette, 
completely outflanked Upham's position. Immediately on being 
discovered, they opened a heavy fire of musketry, which was kept 
up on both sides for about a quarter of an hour, considerably re- 
ducing the strength of the command. At this time, by a well- 
directed charge of the enemy, the Twenty-seventh was forced back 
onto the rest of the brigade, which immediately broke, when 
they discovered that the brigade (which numbered about two 
thousand men) was entirely surrounded, and were thus obliged to 
surrender with the loss of one field piece captured by the enemy. 

The entire brigade, with the exception of three officers and a 
few enlisted men who escaped when the regiments broke, were 
thus captured. It was afterward ascertained by officers captured 
at this time (from Surgeon Mathus, Twenty-eighth Georgia Regi- 
ment, A., M. D.), that the rear attack was made by the whole of 
Hoke's division, aided by a force from another Confederate com- 
mand under General D. B. Hill. 



326 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Upham's loss in this engagement was as follows: killed, one 
officer and ten enlisted men; wounded, five officers and forty-five 
enlisted men; captured or missing, thirteen officers and one thou- 
sand eight hundred and ten enlisted men; total killed, wounded, 
captured or missing, one thousand, eight hundred and eighty-four. 
Among the captured and most severely wounded was Lieut.-Col. 
M. G. Bartholomew, commanding the Twenty-seventh Massa- 
chusetts and Captain Julius Bassett of the Fifteenth Connecticut 
was killed in action. Colonel Upham had been twice warned by 
Captain Lewis Cann of the Seventeenth Regiment that his brigade 
was being overpowered, but Colonel Upham did not have time 
to make proper disposition of his command, either for defence or 
retreat. 

Captain Joseph M. Fish, formerly a corporal in Company I, 
Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry, and now commanding a 
company of flying artillerj^, was sent to support Colonel Upham, 
Fish had two mountain howitzers, which he called his "pop guns," 
and before starting he boasted, ''Wait till I get out there with my 
pops, and then you will hear some noise and see some fun." He 
went with his command of a hundred mounted men and his pops. 
Surely he popped a lot out there, and did some excellent work, 
but shortly afterwards he popped in behind the works with only 
three of his men to tell the tale, and his pops popped no more forever. 
"Special Order. 

" No. 37 Headquarters, near Kinston. 
"March 8, 1865. 

"1. Maj.-Gen. D. B. Hill will move immediately to the front 
with all his command, and take the line now held by Maj.-Gen. 
R. F. Hoke. A staff officer with guides will be left to direct such 
troops as may arrive to the same point. 

"2. On being relieved, Maj.-Gen. Hoke, with his division, 
will move to the right, to turn the enemy's position, and strike 
him in the flank. 

"3 Brigadier-Gen. L. S. Baker's command during this 
operation will be under Maj .-Gen. Hill. 

"4. As soon as it is perceived that Maj. -Gen. Hoke's move- 
ment is successful, and the enemy's line wavers, Major-Gen. 



splaine's brigade. 327 

Hill will attack vigorously in front, and push the enemy with his 
whole strength. 

" 5. Maj .-Gen. Hill should be in position so as to enable Maj .- 
Gen. Hoke to move by 5 a. m. 

"6. On arrival of Brig.-Gen. Haywood, he will take position 
in rear of Maj .-Gen. Hill as a reserve. 

"7. Lieut.-Col. Starr, commanding the artillery, will report 
to Maj .-Gen. Hill. 

'' By order of General Bragg. 

"Francis S. Parker, 

"Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 

"War Records. Vol. XLVII, Part 2, Page 1340." 

The success of Bragg's first onset now led him to think he had 
the whole of Cox's command broken. Learning his mistake, he 
adjusted his lines anew, and moved promptly on our main line 
in an attempt to bore in between Carter's and Palmer's divisions. 

In this advance he briskly attacked a small earthwork, 
defended by Company D, of the Seventeenth Massachusetts, 
Captain Lewis Cann, who after making a stout but prudent 
resistance, retired with a loss of five men, and with much skill, 
conducted his small force in safety to our works. 

At this juncture. Colonel Splaine, in command of the third 
brigade, received an order from General Carter to send out 200 
men to aid in retarding the enemy's progress. Three companies 
of the Seventeenth Massachusetts, A, Captain James Splaine; 
C, Captain John E. Mullally; and F, Captain Charles O. Fellows, 
under command of Major William W. Smith of that regiment, 
were sent out on the main road toward Kinston, with instructions 
to assist in checking as long as possible the advance of the enemy, 
who, flushed with their success in the capture of our second 
brigade, seemed determined to push matters. Evidently General 
Cox needed time to make preparations along his line of works. 
His army, already too small, was now further reduced by the loss 
of Upham's brigade, to about eleven thousand men. 



328 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

With the three companies, Major Smith moved promptly toward 
the enemy, and engaged them with much spirit and effect. It 
was a case of fighting for time, taking advantage of the shape of the 
ground and of every cover, to prolong the fighting. This small 
force, led by Major Smith, intrepidly fought the enemy every 
inch of the way, losing several men in killed, wounded and mis- 
sing, in their efforts to retard Bragg's advance, until by sheer force 
of overwhelming numbers, they were gradually forced back until 
they reached a light earthwork, occupied by a detachment of 
men under command of Lieutenant Malcolm Sillars of the Seven- 
teenth Massachusetts, where a short stand was made before they 
retired to our main works, thus gaining us valuable time to form 
lines of defence. 

At one time during this warm fighting, the fire of the three 
companies of the Seventeenth Massachusetts was so well main- 
tained against the Confederate advance that a piece of the enemy's 
artillery was temporarily abandoned; whereupon Captain James 
Splaine, with Company A, was ordered to charge and take posses- 
sion of it. There his charge was met by a countercharge from the 
enemy, and for a few minutes things were lively over the piece. 
Men on both sides, not having time to reload, used their bayonets 
and clubbed their muskets. Splaine's men had cut the harnesses 
off the dead horses, and had nearly succeeded in securing possession 
of the piece, when the enemy threw forward a large body of troops 
to help their friends at the guns. These men afterwards had the 
laugh on one of their number who, in the "excitement of that fight, 
while vigorously slashing with his knife at the harness on a dead 
horse, suddenly discovered with disgust that there was a chain 
trace inside the leather casing. 

At this point Major Smith sent forward on the double-quick 
the companies of Captain Fellows and Mullally, who promptly 
advanced, cheering as they went to help their comrades, when to 
their utter disappointment and surprise, they were charged upon 
by a whole regiment of the enemy, who compelled our men to re- 
treat pell-mell, leaving a number of their men on the field. Upon 
their return to the general line. Major Smith, his gallant officers 
and men were warmly greeted and congratulated by General 



splaine's brigade. 329 

Carter and Colonel Splaine for their heroic fighting against the 
enemy. 

Boston, Mass., March 22, 1909. 
Thomas Kir wan, Esq., 

Historian Seventeenth Infantry. 

Dear Comrade: 

Referring to the action of Companies A, C, and F, in attempt- 
ing to capture a piece of Confederate artillery outside our main 
lines at the battle of Wise's Forks, I beg you to correct a statement 
made by me shortly after the close of the war and printed in the 
report of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts for 1865. 

My statement in that report was that, ''Captain Splaine 
with Company A, was ordered to charge a piece of Confederate 
artillerj' and secured possession of it, but that while disengaging 
the dead horses from the piece, a large body of rebels drove him 
from it, which compelled him and his company to abandon it." 
I also stated it as my opinion that, "if Company A, had been 
properly supported by the other two companies, the enemy would 
have been repulsed and the coveted piece of artillery would have 
been captured and held by the Union forces.' ' 

I never received a report of the fight referred to, and I based 
my report to the Adjutant General of Massachusetts solely on 
what I heard officers and men of the regiment say about the 
affair; but during the last five years, two of the captains who 
were engaged in the struggle and several men who participated in 
the same fight have called my attention to the case and have 
told me that my report of 1865 had done them great injustice. 

I have carefully inquired into the whole matter, and I am 
now of the opinion that my report made so many years ago was 
not correct, and I am of the opinion that all three captains, their 
officers and men are equally deserving of praise. The conduct of 
all three captains and all three companies was admirable and 
heroic, and I desire now to place myself on record as believing that 
the reports upon which I based my official report were erroneous 
and misleading. 



330 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Whoever knew Captains Mullally and Fellows would know 
that they would not fail in the hour of danger. All honor to the 
three Captains. All honor to the three Companies. 

Respectfully yours, 

Henry Splaine. 

During this interval, active preparations had been made for 
the defence of our breastworks. General Cox had ordered Palmer 
to send a brigade rapidly to the left to support Carter, and with 
the rest of his division to make a vigorous demonstration of cross- 
ing the creek in his front, and Palmer hurried the following troops 
to strengthen Carter; Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery 
(serving as infantry), commanded by Lieut. -Col. A. B. R. Sprague; 
One hundred thirty-second New York Infantry, Lieut.-Col. 
J. H. Hitchcock; and a provisional battalion, under command of 
Col. Frank S. Curtis. General Ruger's division also being ordered 
up, moved promptly to Carter's aid, while Carter, supported by the 
brigade from Palmer, maintained the fight until Ruger arrived, 
when the enemy was met, handsomely repulsed and driven back 
to their lines in the advance that so quickly followed the rout of 
our advance posts. 

Ruger's division now filled the space between the two wings, 
speedily connecting a line of breastworks of a mile and a half 
in length. The country between us and the enemy was of tangled 
wood and swamp, which impeded movement and prevented either 
side from seeing far. Palmer was now on the right, covering the 
railroad, and Carter on the left, covering the Dover road. 

On the main line, trees had been felled, with which to com- 
plete our breast works, but we had scarcely commenced to lay 
the logs when we were ordered to move forward in line with those 
of other troops across the road — a proceeding, I remember, which 
brought on a lively tilt between officers of different commands 
and some sarcastic comments from the men, it being claimed 
that our brigade had first set the line by brigade orders, and that 
they should have aligned on us. But that matters not. The logs 
were moved to the new point, but before we had time to cover 
them with earth, the enemy's artillery had opened upon us so 



splaine's brigade. 331 

heavily with shot and shell, killing and wounding several, that we 
were ordered to he down, an order which it is needless to say was 
quickly obeyed. 

The artillery fire of the enemy was particularly directed to 
where our brigade was stationed, they having secured a good range 
of our artillery piece, which was firing rapidly from a slight em- 
inence directly in the rear of Company B, of the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts of which I was a member, and which was com- 
manded by Lieut. H. G. Hyde, our captain, Joseph A. Moore, 
being on the brigade staff, where he rendered valuable service 
all through the campaign. 

On matters of interest I will here digress. Perhaps in no other 
army in the world was the family more numerously represented 
than in the Union Army. Relatives serving together could be 
found in and about all bodies of troops during the war, and ours 
was not an exception, for among others, our colonel and major 
each had three brothers in the regiment, while a father and two 
sons named Jeffers, from Lynn, Mass., shared their hard-tack, 
and marched together in Company B. 

Being a brigade orderly, a bearer of dispatches, it made me 
well acquainted with officers of various commands, among them 
being our brave and genial commander. General S. P. Carter, 
whose notable career in both the army and navy during our Civil 
War, is well worth mention, and whose unique record was kindly 
furnished the author by Messrs W. C. and F. P. Church, proprietors 
of the "Army and Navy Journal.' ' 

At the outbreak of the war, Brigadier-General S. P. Carter 
was an officer in our navy, with the rank of lieutenant. He 
was promoted to lieutenant commander, July 16, 1862. Early 
in the war, he received a commission in the army, while still 
retaining his status in the navy. He was appointed brigadier- 
general of volunteers May 1, 1862, and mustered out as such 
January 15, 1866, reverting to his status as a naval officer with 
the rank of commander, to which he was promoted June 25, 1865, 
His status was the same as that of William Nelson, who was a 
lieutenant in the navj^ at the outbreak of the war, was appointed 
brigadier-general, U. S. A., September 16, 1861, and major-general 



332 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

July 17, 1862. Nelson was killed by General Jeff. C. Davis 
at the Gait House in Louisville, in a personal altercation, Sep- 
tember 29, 1862. General S. P. Carter died in Washington, May 
26, 1891, with the ranks of rear-admiral, U. S. N., brigadier- 
general and brevet-major-general, U. S. A. 

When army officers indulge themselves in their usual gibes at 
the expense of the navy officers' assumed incapacity as shoremen, 
it may be well to remind them that the first important cavalry 
raid into rebel territory, during our Civil War was commanded by a 
naval officer, Brig.-Gen. Samuel P. Carter, Lieut. U. S. N. For 
this raid, made in December, 1862, Carter was thanked in general 
orders by the general-in-chief of the army, the commanders of 
the Department of Ohio and the District of Kentucky. He was 
also recommended for promotion to a major-general. 

But to return from this digression. 

There the men lay, undergoing the most trying ordeal to 
which troops can be subjected, being under fire without the privilege 
of returning it. There was, however, enough to engage our at- 
tention, and our sight was not idly roaming. The shot and shell 
crashing through and the tearing limbs from the trees was a spec- 
tacle which could not be ignored, while other events that made 
the scene more vivid were rapidly transpiring about us, among 
which were the following : 

As Charley Pendexter of my company was walking towards the 
works, a piece of flying shell struck the barrel of the musket with 
such violence that it knocked him down, but not before he had 
performed a series of gyrations more comical than I ever witnessed 
in a circus. He seemed too astonished to join in the laughter that 
came from the men at his enforced gymnastics, for besides receiv- 
ing a severe shaking up, he also had a damaged musket. 

To my right, on the ground, lay Andrew Mellen, and close 
on Mellen's right, sitting with his back to the logs, was Corporal 
Thomas Kay of our company. Mellen and myself had just been 
talking with Kay, and had advised him to lie down, to which he 
replied that he was all right. Hardly had he said these words, 
when a solid shot struck one of the logs. Mellen nudged me. 
I thought he had been hit, for his face was covered with blood. 



splaine's brigade, 333 

He seemed too amazed to speak, as he pointed towards Kay. 
The shot had torn a large sphnter from a log and it had cut off 
the top of Kay's head from the eyes up, as though done with a 
guillotine, and spattered his brains all over Mellen, A convul- 
sive shudder, and Kay was dead. We drew him away from the 
logs, spread a blanket over him and buried him that afternoon. 
Poor Tom! We all knew him as a good fellow and a brave soldier. 

During a lull in the firing, in the afternoon, we became anxious 
to finish our delayed works, but spades we had none with which 
to cover them with earth. Time was precious, and all in the bri- 
gade were ordered by Colonel Splaine to utilize their bayonets, 
tin plates and dippers (rather primitive methods) for that purpose. 
So digging with bayonets, and shovelling with plates, dippers and 
fingers, we started in lively at our tasks. The boys worked like 
beavers, and the way we made the dirt fly was a caution. It 
was a novel sight, and one that brought smiles and jokes from the 
men. Nevertheless, in a short time we completed respectable 
looking breastworks, but none too soon, as the enemy again opened 
on us lively with shot and shell. 

All was now bustle behind our works. The scene was a 
stirring one. Mounted aides and orderlies were galloping hither and 
thither, and the wounded were being brought in. Meanwhile, 
companies and regiments (reliefs) were moving to and fro from the 
front, where skirmishing continued with varied success through- 
out the day. 

Toward night a cold storm set in, which alternated between 
rain and sleet and snow, and the greensward of our camp, from the 
tramp of men and horses, was soon churned into a sea of mud, 
which clung tenaciously to all of us. Besides we had no tents, 
and the men suffered much from the cold. The march and field 
work soon destroyed clothing. The fact was, as stated by General 
Cox, that our force was rapidly put on the march at the risk of 
being short of rations, a prediction that was seriously verified 
by the troops. 

But in the gloomiest hours of the march or bivouac, there 
frequently occurred incidents that cast the sunshine of merriment 
on the dark lines in the soldier's life, and such was the following: 



334 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Charles Bachelder of Company A, a drummer, who, while trying 
to shield himself from the rain, had utilized his blanket for a tent 
on a pole between two trees, while putting the finishing touches on 
his primitive structures, a fragment of flying shell struck the blanket 
near where he stood, sadly demolishing the whole business, and no 
doubt convincing Charlie that there was no rest thereabouts for 
the weary; and acting, I presume, on the old adage that "misery 
likes company,' ' it greatly amused all who saw it. 

During the day we captured a number of prisoners belonging 
to Georgia regiments, and one of them, a wag of a fellow, raised 
hearty laughter among our men when he inquired: "Where the 
devil is that regiment, I want to see it that loads on Sunday and 
fires all the week." He referred to one of our battalions, who, 
being armed with Spencer seven-shot rifles, had astonished the 
enemy by effective work on the skirmish that day. 

Troops in North Carolina could usually depend upon having 
a good, almost storm-defying camp fire, the pitch pine wood, 
with its resinous aroma, making a brisk blaze. And as the men 
stood that evening (I see them now in fancy) around the sputtering 
camp fires, faces begrimed with sooty smoke, with drenched and 
bespattered clothes take it all in all we were an odd looking crowd, 
while here and there throughout the grove could be seen groups 
of men curled up in their blankets, doing their best to revive 
exhausted nature by stealing a nap under adverse circumstances, 
tattoo at last warning all that even a couch in the mud in that 
tentless bivouac was a welcome privilege to the wearied troops. 



splaine's brigade. 335 

Part III. 

Skirmishing Resumed — ^The Attempt to Flank our Right — 
Reminiscences of the Service— The Dead Sharpshooter 
IN the Tree — A Strange Burial — The Dead Alive — 
Stormy Weather and Lack of Rations — Soldiers on the 
March — The Army Growler — Extending our Breast- 
works — Our Left Re-enforced — A Soldier's Benefactor 
— A Luxurious Bed — The Night Alarm — A War Song. 

Near Kinston, March 9, 1865. 
Major General Hoke will move to the attack immediately, 
advancing his left flank and gradually taking up the movement to 
the right, thus making an oblique assault on the enemy. His 
command will keep well closed to the right, so as not to leave an 
interval. Major General Hill will take up the attack as soon as 
General Hoke is fairly engaged. The attack must be vigorous and 
determined, as success must be achieved. 

By order of General Bragg, 

F. S. Parker, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

The 9th was ushered in with cold, stormy weather, the enemy, 
flushed with their success of the 8th, promptly renewed the skir- 
mish all along the line, which for a time, was lively on the extreme 
right, where Hoke endeavored to push beyond Palmer's right, be- 
tween it and the river. But General Cox, never caught napping, 
prevented this by sending Colonel Thomas' brigade of Ruger's 
division to strengthen that flank, when finding us strongly en- 
trenched, the enemy soon retired, after which hostilities assumed a 
desultory character, being only light skirmishes along our front; 
and our brigade skirmish line, composed of some companies of the 
Seventeenth Massachusetts and Company A, Third New York 
Artillery, were on the skirmish line all day. 

The enemies' batteries frequently dropped shells throughout 
the day about General Harland's brigade, evidently intending to 
develop our right of line. As orders were given not to return 



336 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

the fire, they did not succeed. Some prisoners taken that day 
were found to belong to both Stewart's and Lee's corps of the Ten- 
nessee, and it was learned that the army in our front, 14,000 
strong, was commanded by General Bragg in person, and that it in- 
cluded the troops of the North Carolina District under General 
Hoke, strengthened by that part of Hood's army of the Tennessee, 
which had reached North Carolina under Generals Stewart, Loring, 
Clayton, Baker, D. B. Hill and others. Indeed, rebel generals 
were numerous in our front. 

On that day another of those strange events of which war is 
so prolific was brought to light by some of our men, who discovered 
a Confederate sharp-shooter perched in a tree between the lines, 
where it was supposed he had gone on the morning of the 8th, when 
the enemy held that portion of the field for the purpose, no doubt, 
of picking off men inside our works. His rifle, which had fallen 
from his grasp, was on the ground. No notice being taken of the 
order to come down from the tree, soon led us to believe that he 
was dead, which proved to be the case, he having been killed, no 
doubt, by a stray bullet from his own or our men during the fray. 
They took his body down out of the tree and buried it. He was 
found sitting astride a limb, with a piece of cord around his body, 
with which he had secured himself to the tree. His well-filled 
haversack, and other belongings, which were hanging near him, 
well attested the fact that he had made elaborate preparations for 
a personal siege of the works, and that he had died while fighting 
on his own hook. 

Again at roll-call that day more names were unanswered, and 
familiar faces missing, and a party went out from our works to bury 
the dead. One of the first bodies found and recognized by members 
of his own company was that of Levi F. Colbath of Company A, 
with whose name is connected a most singular event. He had been 
shot through the breast, and his body, which had been partly 
stripped of its clothing, with others, was quickly buried, and the 
men left their comrades in their lonely graves in the swamp. 
Genial, jolly Colbath, — one of the brave boys who had enlisted in 
the field, — how we missed him! 





Chas. S. Bolton. 



Hugh Young. 





../'V 



General T. J. Henderson. 



Col. James Stewart Jr. 



splaine's brigade. 337 

Colbath's effects, — letters and pictures, precious keepsakes, 
— were soon found behind the works, and with a letter of s>Tn- 
pathy and condolence, were sent by Captain James Splaine to 
Colbath's wife in Haverhill, Mass. Such heart-breaking mis- 
sives entered many homes in the North during those trying years. 
Colbath was mourned for by all, and his death was published in 
the local papers. But strange to relate, scarcely three weeks 
afterwards, who should walk into his own home to astonish wife 
and friends, but Levi F. Colbath in the man and body, — the man 
who was dead, yet living. He had been captured by the enemy, 
and Hberated on parole. The man buried as Colbath had belonged 
to some other regiment. Comrade Colbath died but a few years 
ago in Dover, N. H., where he had resided, a well-known and 
respected citizen, since the war. 

As a case of mistaken identity it was indeed strange, and one 
that goes far towards proving the adage that truth is stranger 
than fiction. The happy outcome of the affair but increased our 
interest in the soldier buried as Colbath, for who shall ever know 
who that strange comrade was, or what were his last thoughts and 
wishes in that Carolina swamp? And might not he, somewhere 
in the North, have loved ones who anxiously watched for the letter 
that never came, and perhaps — 

"In a little white cot, in the land of the North, 

They're waiting his coming again. 
They dream not his body all mangled and torn 

Is laid in the ranks of the slain. 

"Sleep, soldier, sleep, in thy rough southern tomb. 
While above thee the winter winds rave. 

In summer the birds will thy requiem sing. 
And willows weep over thy grave.' ' 

Our officers and men that evening, — for we were all on the 
same plane, — were tired, drenched and hungry; the bivouac was 
a cheerless one. The weather was bitter cold, we had no tents and 
our haversacks were empty. And how we wished for coffee, the 
soldier's panacea ! But all this was nothing new to the men. They 



338 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

had had such experiences before, when it was ludicrous to hear 
some of them make Hght of their hunger by loudly ordering the 
most tempting, but impossible dishes,— dishes that would do credit 
to a Delmonico. Was it any wonder, then, that the young soldier 
often yearned for something his mother used to make? But did 
they murmur at their lot? Seldom, indeed. The array was no 
place for weaklings, and when such were in the campaign, where 
strength and stamina were needed, they were soon shifted to the 
rear by the hardships encountered. The thing called pride was a 
strong element in the soldier's makeup. Often men stricken with 
sickness on the march could not be prevailed upon to leave the 
ranks, until from sheer exhaustion, they were forced to drop by 
the roadside. 

Pertinent to this last, let me say that I have seen the troops 
days and nights on the march, in the heat of the summer and the 
storms of winter, at times plunging through the mud and drenched 
to the skin by torrents of rain, — yes, some of them even catching 
sleep as they marched, yet seldom did I know the spirit of cheerful- 
ness to forsake them. I do not mean by this that soldiers on a 
forced march are in a mood to display much merriment, for such 
severe toil is a bar to that. One of the most notable things about 
a march of this kind, — at least to me, — was the sullen silence of 
the men in the ranks; vital force was too precious to be wasted in 
mere conversation. Except when a man made a mis-step, or came 
to some unusually bad piece of road, and relieved himself by a 
burst of profanity, the only sounds were the regular tramp, tramp, 
of falling feet, the monotone of a commander to ''Close up, men, 
close up !" or the jingle of a tin cup as it bumped against a canteen. 

But with all this, in every company, battery, troop, or even 
squad, at least one man could be found in whom the great Amer- 
ican sense of humor was highly developed. He could see only 
the ridiculous side of every hardship, of every phase of army life. 
He could find a joke where one would never dream it could exist. 
Every personal peculiarity of either superior or equal was the sub- 
ject of his keen wit. When the rations were poor, he would remind 
us that mother's pies would be all the more appreciated when we got 
home. On a mud march he would yell out: "Oh, why did you 



splaine's brigade. 339 

enlist?" and "Why don't the army move?" (This was a slap at 
the arm-chair critics at home.) These men were known as the 
life of the the camp, the march and the bivouac, — men ready with 
a volley of jokes to enliven others; and even at this distant day 
it is amusing to remember some of the jests that were made while 
passing other troops in the night, when in answer to the inquiry, 
" What regiment is that?' 'with the true reply would promptly come 
back "The Tenth Ireland," "The Third Nova Scotia," "Lemon- 
ade this way,' ' or other such humorous remarks. Thus at all times 
and under all conditions was illustrated in the strongest light the 
self-reliant and independent character of the American soldier. 
They were all in the same boat, so to speak. These were some of 
of the accompaniments of war. They all knew it, and uncom- 
plainingly made merry over their distress. 

Did I say all? No, not quite all of them, for occasionally 
we got a rap from the regular chronic growler, who seemed to be 
a necessary adjunct of the service; and to him I pay tribute, while 
mentally I doff my hat to his memory, for, to use a term, he was 
a daisy. Though called a nuisance by some, yet he was a source 
of amusement to many. He enjoyed his growl, and who among 
the comrades that does not remember him? Every regiment had 
a few of these growlers, who, whether in storm or sunshine, in 
victory or defeat, would invariably find fault with nearly every- 
thing that came in their way. But aside from that peculiarity, 
never did I know one who was not a thorough soldier. 

But to renew the narrative : Apprehending an attack on our 
left, Colonel Splaine ordered the line of breastworks to be well 
extended in that direction, and that an abattis and entanglement 
of felled timber also be made along the whole line; and Captain 
Howard's battalion of Malloy's brigade was directed by General 
Carter to aid our brigade in extending the works across and be- 
yond the Trent road. Our cavalry, always in demand, were or- 
dered to scout and picket the country beyond the left to the upper 
Trent road. Two batteries of Ruger's division were ordered to 
park in the rear of the left of Carter's position, to be used as occa- 
sion should offer. 



340 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Scouts are the eyes and the ears and the nose of an army corps. 
They spread themselves out before, creeping stealthily ahead to 
watch the enemy, to note his position and strength. They listen 
for every sound that will betray his presence, for every beat of 
hoof or fall of foot. Like bloodhounds, they scent every trail. 
The information they obtain is sent back by relays of mounted 
men to their general, and upon this information, whether it is 
valuable, accurate or not, or whether it is used for all it is worth, 
depends absolutely the fate of the army. It is a matter of history 
that nearly every battle lost or won, according to the value of the 
previous reconnoissance, the victors have won through knowing 
the position, the movements and the numbers of the enemy, and 
the defeated have lost through ignorance on these points. 

About nine o'clock, we had finished our breastworks, sur- 
mounting all with good top logs; and a dirtier looking lot of men 
it would be hard to find anywhere, for hauling, pushing and tugging 
at logs, and the shovelling of muck, did not promote cleanliness 
or encourage the use of dress suits. It was hard work in bad 
swamp mud, trampled and kneaded by thousands of feet into a 
pasty quagmire. At last the troops, tired from their work, 
wearily sought the soaked ground, and were soon lost in sleep, obli- 
vious to their rough surroundings, yet ever ready to spring into 
line at the first blast of the bugle or the long roll; for on such 
occasions, each man, from the highest to the lowest, sleeps, wakes 
and has his being with the senses ever alert for a summons to 
instant duty; and if it is a false alarm, the disgusted warrior can at 
least comfort himself with the memory of a few happy moments 
of excitement and doubt. 

It was about eleven o'clock that night when I returned from 
our outposts, where I had been with instructions from Colonel 
Splaine to the officer in charge of our picket line, Capt. Malcolm 
Sillars, when, after lying down on my pine bough bed, I was 
shortly awakened from a sound sleep by some one calling me. 
Stepping over my sleeping comrades in the dark, I soon found the 
person wanting me, who proved to be an old acquaintance of mine, 
Jerome Kelty, formerly of Lynn, Mass., but then serving as 
Charles Allen in Battery I of the Third New York Artillery, 



splaine's brigade. 341 

and belonging to the gun near by. On going with him, he took 
from the gun's caisson a bundle, and while saying, ''Make yourself 
comfortable, Young, it's a cold night," he spread it on the ground. 
Ye gods! What a luxury was before me! A buffalo robe, for 
such it was, for a soldier's bed. And as if but yesterday, I recollect 
how we sat there, smoked our pipes and talked of home and the 
prospects ahead. Onty an incident, perhaps you say, but it was 
such that helped to soften the hardship and relieve the strain of 
the soldier's life. At last, thanking my benefactor, and bidding 
him good-night, as I drew the warm folds of the robe about me for 
a nap, I can truly say that I prized my buffalo bed as among the 
finest in the land. 

But how sharp are the lines of war. A few days afterwards 
poor Kelty was killed, and his bed was a soldier's rough grave. 
Can I forget his kind act? No, never; for comrades know that 
the rations shared on the toilsome march, and the drink from 
"the same canteen" were factors in creating the deep fraternity 
that was born of the peril and hardships of war. 

A night's unbroken rest is a rare exception to soldiers at the 
front, and such it proved with us. The weather was raw and cold 
the balance of the night, and the picket firing for a time was very 
heavy indeed. About two o'clock the next morning, a heavy 
volley at the front, and the long roll, brought all our men promptly 
to their feet and in line. A force of the enemy, apparently several 
regiments, came down as their skirmish line, but after a while 
they retired. 

The privates of the army had theories of their own, as well as 
the generals, and sometimes grasped the true condition of affairs 
as readily. So, when shortly afterward a low sounding fire was 
heard from one of the enemy's field guns, after a short discussion 
among the men, it was decided by some that the advance of the 
enemy, and their signal gun in the early morning, was simply a 
ruse of the Johnnies to draw our attention directly to the front, 
while they would be moving to the right or left to flank our works; 
with what truth the morrow would show. Meanwhile, our out- 
posts had been strengthened, but no further alarms occurred that 
night. 



342 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Part IV. 

The Calm Before the Storm — A Daring Reconnoissance — 
Bragg Plans for our Defeat — Fraternal Compliments 
Between Officers — A Trick of the Johnnies that 
Failed — The Assault on our Left — The Attack on our 
Center — A Disastrous Repulse of the Enemy — Arrival 
OF Couch's Divisions — Scenes on the Battlefield — 
Retreat of Bragg's Army — Burial of the Dead — Joy 
Around the Camp Fires — A Heavy Rain Storm. 

All were on the alert at the gray of dawn, on the 10th, which 
brought with it light snow and rain. Picket firing, which was 
brisk during the night, had gradually fallen away, until at day- 
break only here and there shots were heard along the line, and the 
morning passed inactively. A stillness reigned that was unusual 
at such a time, and the anxious looks on the faces of the men 
plainly said: "What's up now?' ' 

Generals Cox and Carter, realizing that the enemy were 
concentrating in front of our left, sent Colonel Splaine, attended 
by Captain Moore, assistant adjutant-general on Splaine's staff, 
Doctor Walton, acting brigade surgeon, and a detachment of the 
Twelfth New York Cavalry, to reconnoitre the Confederates' 
position, with instructions also not to return until he had seen the 
enemy and made an intelligent estimate of their strength. These 
orders were obeyed to the letter, as the following account will show. 

When the little band had reached the outer edge of the woods 
on our side of the general line. Colonel Splaine was accosted by 
his brother, Captain James Splaine, who was there on duty, and 
who inquired whither they were going. Upon being told the nature 
of the order. Captain Splaine remarked that there was no need of 
going any further, for thej^ could see them right there at the edge 
of the other woods. It being then raining, thereby obscuring the 
view, and being unable to see the enemy distinctly enough to 
satisfy his mind as to their position and strength, Colonel Splaine 
said to his brother, "I am ordered to see them, and I shall obey." 
So the colonel and his party went, they saw and they returned. 



splaine's brigade. ■ 343 

When about seventy yards from the enemy's hne, the part 
was addressed by a noble looking Confederate officer, who had been 
leaning against his piece of artillery. As he spoke, he drew a white 
handkerchief from his breast, and waving it, said, ''Come in." 
They did not go in, but hesitated, for the purpose of parleying 
with the rebel officer, so as to gain time; and during this time 
Splaine was using his field-glass with good effect, counting and 
locating the enemy's flags, batteries and battalions. 

Now, the Colonel took his turn at the handkerchief tactics, 
and waving his, said to the other side, "Won't you please come 
here? I want to speak with you on a most important matter," 
all the time using his field-glass and noting the makeup of the 
Confederate host. To this the Confederate officer answered, 
"Oh, come in, it's all right!" But again Splaine repeated his 
request for a parley on that most important subject. Now, the 
Confederate officer, becoming exasperated at the coolness of the 
little band, yelled out angrily, "If you don't come right in, I will 
fire." 

At this critical moment, Splaine having learned all he needed 
to know about the enemy, said to his associates, "We are in a bad 
fix. Obey me, and we will come out all right; otherwise we perish.' ' 

To this his command replied, " Give us your orders and we will 
obey them." 

Splaine then said, "If we attempt to turn now, they will 
shoot us down. We must pretend we are going to surrender, and 
so sure will they be that we mean it, that they will become care- 
less while glorying over their fancied prize ; and when we are almost 
within their lines, I shall order, 'One, two, three, turn,' and at 
that command turn quickly, and lying low upon your horses, ride 
for dear life," and added laughingly, "May the devil take the 
hindmost." (Splaine was the first going in and, of course, the 
last coming out; and even at that the devil hasn't got him yet.) 

When the Union party turned their horses to make the race 
for life, they were not more than twenty yards from the enemy. 
The surprise among the Johrmies at this supreme piece of Yankee 
impudence, trick and cheek was so great that they completely 
lost their heads; and before they recovered, the little squad had 



344 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

got well under way before the first shot was fired after them, 
and then several shots, and as the Rebs recovered from their stu- 
por, their fire was increased until thousands of bullets were speed- 
ing after Splaine's brave little band. He declared afterward that 
as he entered the shelter of the woods where he had left his brother 
anxiously waiting, it appeared as if every leaf in the forest was 
falling upon them from the effects of the enemy's bullets. 

While the party were riding for dear life, the bullets of the 
enemy played queer pranks on their clothing, but fortunately 
none of the men were injured. It seemed miraculous how they 
all escaped with their lives. Colonel Splaine lost a heel off one 
of his boots, had his right shoulder strap shot away, and a third 
bullet entered the seat of his army saddle. Captain Moore, 
while turning in his saddle to look at his Confederate friends, lost 
his pistol, it being shot from his hand, other bullets cutting two 
holes through his uniform. Doctor Walton, not less fortunate, 
had his clothing cut by bullets. Members of the cavalry escort were 
treated about as badly, as attested by the riddled condition of their 
clothing. They all thanked their stars for their narrow escape, 
and they were all heartily cheered by the portion of the army 
that had witnessed a part of the enterprise. 

This, at the time, was considered one of the most daring and 
successful reconnoissances of the campaign, arid one of which the 
result on the same day was most important to the National army 
and disastrous to the enemy. 

Upon the return of the party to the works, a consultation 
was held between Generals Cox and Carter and Colonel Splaine, 
and as a result of the same, plans were made to meet the attack 
of the enemy. 

The brigade of Splaine now held the left of the Union line. 
Captain James Tucker of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Regi- 
ment had command of the brigade line of skirmishers and, as it 
proved, it was this line and regiment which was to receive the first 
shock of the impending onslaught; for Bragg, anxious for victory, 
appeared to think that the time had come when his army must 
break the Union line and disperse the threatening army of Schofield. 



splaine's brigade. 345 

General Carter and Colonel Splaine, having looked over the 
lines, and knowing that so much was at stake, as the enemy would 
hazard all in an attempt to turn this, the left of our line of battle, 
General Carter asked to be strengthened, and General Cox 
ordered re-enforcements to be sent him; whereupon the Ninth 
New Jersey Infantry, Colonel James Stewart, Jr., was sent on the 
double-quick from Palmer on the right, to cover the new extension 
of Carter's line. At the same time the batteries of both Ruger's and 
Carter's division were parked in our rear, to be used wherever 
needed in the expected attack. 

About eleven o'clock in the forenoon a rattling musketry fire 
on the lower Trent road denoted the fact that the enemy's advance 
had struck our skirmishers, who, though stubbornly resisting, 
were gradually driven in by the overwhelming masses of the enemy. 

Though anticipating the attack, so little was it expected at the 
moment it was made, that the horses of the artillery park were not 
in harness. The enemy had moved rapidly, and our cavalry, 
posted to give warning, did not succeed in communicating until 
the force of the enemy was well developed. There was not a 
moment to spare. The four batteries were rushed by orders 
of General Cox to the points needed, and were placed on and near 
the Trent road, at our works. Our turn had come. Now for 
work, — to smash down the living barrier that stood between our 
forces and Sherman's army. Yes, we could now give them a 
sample of what the Union troops had to take from the Confederates 
in at least eighty percent of the breastwork fights during the war. 

Conducting a defensive battle behind breastworks on the 
inner circle in their own territory, with no lines of communication 
to guard, a choice of any objective point at which to strike, less 
exhausting marches, and as things count in war, where one defender 
of breastworks is equal to three assailants, usually gave the 
Confederates a great preponderance of strength. 

But why do they hesitate? Would they never emerge from 
the woods? Seconds seemed hours to our men, who, with every 
muscle tense, stood anxiously watching the fringe of trees in our 
front. Our using but little artillery on the Eighth and Ninth 
had evidently deceived them. Twenty-one guns belonging 



346 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

to four batteries (as close as they could work them) now con- 
fronted the enemy, and a portion of which were sending showers of 
shrapnel among them in the timber. They knew they had yet to 
meet our infantry fire in the charge yet to come. How could they 
escape even a portion of it? They will try, so as one man they 
drop to the ground, and send forth their sharp yell. We see their 
ruse; what tricks in the game of war! Brave but deluded men. 
They would not grant that we possessed even schoolboy sagacity. 
General Carter shouts out, "Not a shot, men; it is their old game. 
No, our infantry will not, as the enemy hope, waste a volley on the 
blank air, 'Tis human targets they are waiting for." 

At this time, and right in the face of battle, there occurred 
one of the most gracious and gallant acts between man and man 
that I ever remember to have witnessed, and one that eloquently 
showed the fine stuff some men are made of. As the Ninth New 
Jersey Infantry, led by its colonel, James Stewart, Jr., came 
swinging along on the double-quick to re-enforce us, upon halting 
his men. Colonel Stewart said, "Splaine, where do you want me?" 
when quick came the response, ''Your right wing on the right of the 
road, your left on the left of the road, on the right, by file into line, 
double quick, march!" When this disposition of the Ninth had 
been made, Splaine rode down to Stewart, saluted, and said, 
"Colonel, you are my senior, and therefore you now command the 
brigade." 

The lion-hearted Stewart looked at Splaine a moment, and 
then said, "The honor of the day belongs to you, and I will not do 
anything to dim the lustre of your achievements. Give me your 
orders and I shall obey them." And all through the battle the 
noble Stewart and his gallant New Jersey Volunteers fought under 
the junior commander. 

Foiled again the Confederates soon rise to their feet and 
emerge from their cover. Out into the open they come screaming, 
yells and flags flying, a great gray billow surging along towards 
our position. They fire a volley as they press forward en masse 
formation. It is Hoke's division, six thousand strong, and their 
deep lines reaching way back into the timber. It was a grand 
sight, from war's viewpoint. 



splaine's brigade. 347 

With stern, set faces along the Unes of blue, our men lay 
waiting the onset. We are cautioned to maintain our position, 
ready, but not to fire until ordered. Our artillery men are plying 
well their destructive art ; with guns depressed for close fire, they 
are quickly changing from shell to canister, their guns being 
doubled-shotted with those deadly missiles that are now cutting 
lanes through the enemy's ranks. Yet, on, on they come, through 
shell and canister. Their assault is furious, determined and per- 
sistent. With desperate abandon they breast that iron storm, 
while vainly striving to reach our works. 

But look! They have already reached their goal, when 
quick as thought the word is given and up rose the men of Splaine's, 
brigade, the Twenty-fifth, and Seventeenth Massachusetts and 
Company A, Third New York Artillery, and a battalion of four 
hundred provisional troops of Splaine's brigade, and the Ninth 
New Jersey — all gallant troops, who pour a well-sustained fire 
straight into the enemy's front and right flank. The fight, a 
compact one, is now on, and the battle rages in all its fury. The 
artillery is worked with grand rapidity and makes such a rapid 
succession of crashes that you can hardly tell where one ends and 
the other begins, which, with the incessant roll of the musketry, 
as it re-echoes from the woods, makes it seem as though pandemo- 
nium were let loose. 

With the desperation of madness, the enemy rushed against 
this terrible fire, almost reaching the muzzles of the guns, only to be 
hurled back again and again by the fire in front of them. Under 
the rolling veil of smoke their lines are seen, many of them are 
down, their splendid column is torn and rent and shattered. 
Flesh and blood could not endure it. A brief time more, when they 
waver, then break and plunge into the woods. They are rapidly 
retreating in confusion from the field, and leaving about two 
hundred prisoners in our hands. 

Anticipating an assault elsewhere on our lines, our troops were 
forbidden to follow the enemy, which fact allowed them to take 
many of their dead and wounded with them in the retreat, and pre- 
vented us from capturing more prisoners. 



348 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

(Colonel Splaine has often been asked how he accounted for 
. the small losses sustained by his brigade during the battle of Wise's 
Forks, and he always answers by saying that his line of works was 
so perfect that his men were protected as well as it was possible 
to protect men in the field; and he calls your attention to the fact 
that General Jackson, in the battle of New Orleans had con- 
structed his lines of defence so perfectly (a portion of the defences 
being made up of bales of cotton,) that his losses in that memorable 
battle were only eight men killed and thirteen wounded, while the 
losses of the British were, killed, wounded and missing, including 
their commander, about 2000. Colonel Splaine says that General 
Jackson knew how to defend his position with the material at hand, 
and adds that Jackson's defences were not a bit better than those 
employed at Wise's Forks. 

The men of Splaine's brigade, having no entrenching tools, 
dug with their bayonets, shovelled with their hands, platters and 
dippers, and cut down trees with axes hypothecated from other 
commands. Before the fight at the works opened, Splaine had his 
men fell trees with the sharpened points towards the enemy, 
and had erected a line of chevaux-de-frise, overhanging the trench, 
which latter was about six feet deep and six feet wide, making an al- 
most impassable barrier. In felling trees, it made an open space, 
over which the enemy must pass through the tangled and sharp- 
pointed trees, thus giving our men an opportunity to mow down 
the exposed Confederates before they could reach his lines.) 

Begrimed by the smoke of battle, our men had ceased firing. 
Then went up from them glorious, mighty cheers for victory and 
our commanders, — cheers which had scarcely died away, when 
firing and the sharp, familiar yell is again heard on our right. 
Hill and Baker's force of the enemy were charging on the center, 
where Iluger's breastworks were held by a single rank. The Nmth 
New Jersey, from Carter's left, were sent double-quick to support 
the center. Again the artillery of both divisions was concentrated 
to bear upon the enemy and opened with good effect. Thus being 
made strong, Ruger was enabled to deal the enemy a destructive 
repulse and a severe lesson. 



splaine's brigade, 349 

The enemy in this attack drove in our skirmish line, and appar- 
ently they were disappointed in drawing the fire of a line of battle 
behind breastworks. When within one hundred yards of Ruger's 
works, his whole line opened upon them, and after a short struggle, 
their line was broken, and they fell back in disorder; whereupon 
some of Ruger's troops went over the works and pursued them with 
a strong line, taking one lieutenant and thirty-four enlisted men 
prisoners; and by steadily pushing forward, Ruger's men retook 
their original line. The engagements lasted about two hours. 

The plan of the enemy seemed to be, that by moving on the 
lower Trent road, it would lead to the rear of our left line of breast- 
works, and cause us to change front to rear, so that the attack in 
the center would find only a skirmish line, or at most, a feeble line; 
and thus they would crush us between two attacking forces. But 
they had found an immovable obstacle to their march of victory; 
their plan of battle failed. 

Raleigh, N. C, March 11, 1865. 
General : 

Should Sherman and Cox unite, their march into Virginia 
cannot be prevented by me. In that event, if I understand your 
letter of February 3, you will meet us at the southern edge of Vir- 
ginia to give battle. Would it not be practicable instead to hold 
one of the inner lines of Richmond with one part of your army, and 
meet Sherman with the other, returning to Richmond after fighting? 
I should be glad to know as much as you think prudent to com- 
municate, of the effect upon your position of the interruption by 
the Federal army of the railroad by Raleigh. If the possession of 
the road by Raleigh is necessary for the subsistence of your army, 
unless it is improper to ask, I should be glad to be informed. I beg 
you to inform me of everything in your affairs which is connected 
with my operation, such as may be dependent upon them, that I 
may do my utmost to aid you. I shall also be grateful for any 
instructions you may have to give me. I am. 

Very Respectfully, 

General R. E. Lee, General-in-Chief. J. E. Johnston, General. 

■1-^ (Extract of Confederate correspondence. Volume XLVII., 
Part I, pp. 1052-1054, official records of the Rebellion.) 



350 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

The triumphant cheers of Ruger's men were now answered 
all along our line, for a victory was won that gave us an important 
step forward in the campaign; for to unite with Sherman was the 
single desire that dominated our troops. 

We will now return to the left, where death and joy (war's 
paradox) ruled the hour. Our men had gone over the works, and 
were viewing war's harvest. The storm of death had passed away, 
but all around was the lament of " after the battle.' ' The wounded 
whose cries were a medley, chiefly of groans, were being brought 
to the field hospital on stretchers, where Surgeon Mulford and his 
assistants were busily engaged in ministering to the wounded. 
Ah, how vivid today is my memory of that desolate scene of al- 
most fifty years ago, as again I see the light rain fall upon the up- 
turned faces of the dead! — a scene which causes one to ask what 
would be the value of what is called glory, if weighed on the battle- 
field and among the dead. 

Sherman said that war is hell, and the scenes before us verified 
his words, for the ground in the open, and away back into the tim- 
ber, was thickly strewn with the dead and the wounded, — some in 
groups, as they fell and died across one another. Men were lying 
in every possible attitude, with every conceivable expression on 
their countenances. The faces of these were frequently distorted, 
and gave every evidence of the mental and physical agony they 
had unconsciously passed through. 

At one place lay one of the dead, with legs nearly severed from 
the body, his plastic features plainly showing the anguish he had 
endured. Some had been killed by a single bullet, the wounds 
scarcely perceptible, and the features as placid as though the tired 
soldier had calmly laid down to rest. 

General Schofield had now arrived on the field from Newbern, 
and was in consultation with General Cox ; and seeing the persistent 
character of Bragg's efforts, he sent urgent messages to General 
Couch to hasten the marching of his command; and to General 
Grant the following dispatch was sent: 



splaine's brigade. 351 

Wise's Forks, March 10, 1865. 
Lieutenant-General Grant : 

The enemy made a heavy attack upon our center, and left 
today, but was decisively repulsed with heavy loss, — his dead and 
badly wounded men left upon the field. We took several hundred 
prisoners. Our loss was small. General Couch is only twelve 
miles away from here tonight, and will be up early in the morning. 
We took prisoners from Lee's and Stewart's corps. They say two 
corps are here, and the rest of Johnston's are coming. 

J. M. Schofield, 

Major-General. 

Gum Swamp, March 10, 1865, 2:30 p. m. 
Colonel Savage : 

You must get scouts through to General Couch at speed, say- 
ing that I have been attacked today by Lee's corps and other troops 
but have repulsed them; still, his presence at the earliest moment 
and by forced marches, is very important. General Schofield is 
here, and directs that he take the shortest and quickest route to 
this point, without regard to his dispatch dated last evening. This 
word must go through tonight if horse-flesh will carry it. 

J. D. Cox, Major-General. 

Major-GeneralD.N. Couch, with twodivisionsof the Twenty- 
third corps, arrived near to our forces after a five days' forced march 
through rain and mud from Wilmington, — a speedy passage, con- 
sidering the wretched condition of the roads and swollen streams 
over which they had to pass; and it was undoubtedly the arrival 
of these commands that caused the hasty departure of Bragg, he 
having left our front on the evening of the 10th. 

In the afternoon, men from our brigade were employed in dig- 
ging trenches in which to bury the enemy's dead. While our men 
were bringing the bodies to the trenches, others were searching the 
thicket for those of the enemy who, with animal instinct, had 
crawled in there to die unseen; and with the rude tenderness of 
soldiers, we laid them in their graves, with only their gory garments 
around them. 



352 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

That evening there was a happy comminghng of our troops 
all along the line. The events of the day were discussed, the old 
war songs were sung, and "Sherman! Sherman!" was talked of 
everywhere one turned, among the men; while around the camp- 
fires, wit flashed forth in many a happy jest, the hardship of the past 
for the time being forgotten in the joyful gayety that prevailed in 
camp. 

The loss to our forces while defending our breastworks against 
the assaults of Bragg's troops, was as follows: Killed, five officers 
and sixty enlisted men; wounded, twenty-five officers and 294 
enlisted men; captured or missing, twenty-three officers and 1930 
enlisted men; total, killed, wounded and missing, 2337. 

The prisoners captured by us numbered 266. A conservative 
estimate, verified by prisoners taken, placed the loss to the enemy 
in killed, wounded and prisoners at 1500. The nature of the en- 
gagement was the oft-repeated one, of destructive repulse from a 
force behind breastworks. 

After this decisive battle, — one of the last for the old flag and 
an undivided Union, — our division commander. General Carter, 
promulgated the following congratulatory order : 

Headquarters 2d Div., Div. District of Beaufort. 

In the Field Near Kinston, N. C. 

March 12th, 1865. 
To Major Theodore Cox, 

Major : 

Extract, *****! desire to make special mention of Col. 
John Malloy, 17th Wis. Vols, comdg. 1st Brigade, and Lt. Col. 
Henry Splaine, 17th Mass. Vols., comdg. 3d brigade, for the con- 
spicuous and meritorious part taken by them in the battle of the 
8th, 9th and 10th inst. They were cool, collected and brave, and 
the unusual skill and energy displayed by them in the disposition 
and management of their brigades at a critical moment in the con- 
flict, resulted in securing to our Arms a signal and decisive victory. 



splaine's brigade. 353 

It is to be hoped that the Comdg. Genl. may take steps to have 
these gallant officers suitably rewarded. 

Your obedient servant, 

S. P. Carter, Brg., Genl. 

Comdg. Division. 
Official, H. H. Thomas, 

Captain and Asst. Adjt. General. 

It was about ten o'clock that evening when a heavy downpour 
of rain put out our fires and turned our empty camp-ground into 
a scene of miniature lakes and streams, and sleep to most of us, — 
except what we could get by sitting with our backs to some friendly 
tree, — seemed out of the question. We were soon soaked from 
head to foot. Everything we possessed at that time was a reser- 
voir. The storm lasted for half an hour. But even this condition 
of affairs did not prevent most of the men from getting that rest 
which soldiers secure often under the most trying conditions; and 
thus the night was passed, until the enemy was aroused at dawn 
by the reveille from a score of bugles along our lines. 



During the hottest of the battle of Wise's Forks, Sergeant 
Kelley was sent with Corporal Charles E. Flanders of the same 
company, to observe the effect of the Union Artillery fire on a cer- 
tain portion of the enemy's line. The danger was great, and the 
work was so faithfully performed, after a narrow escape from being 
taken prisoners, that Colonel Splaine complimented both men on 
The Field. 



During the heat of the fighting at Wise's Forks, Corporal 
Flanders was detailed to accompany Sergeant Joseph G. Kelley, 
for the purpose of observing the effect of our artillery fire on the 
enemy's right flank. Both performed the task so faithfully that 
important information as to the enemy's position was secured. 
They narrowly escaped being made prisoners of war. Colonel 
Splaine thanked them for their gallantry and good judgment. 



354 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

WISE'S FORKS, 1865. 



Capture of Upham's Brigade and Honorable Mention. 
By General Carter. 

In his report of the movements and operations of his division 
from the 7th to the 10th of March, 1865, Brigadier-General S. P. 
Carter, in command of the Second Division of the Corps, thus 
describes the events of the battle of Wise's Forks (which he desig- 
nates "The battle of Kinston"), leading up to the capture of Up- 
ham's brigade. 

"On the morning of the 8th, Colonel Upham reported that 
during the night he had advanced his skirmish line to within a short 
distance of the creek, and that the men were all protected by rifle 
pits. There was some artillery firing, principally by the rebels, but 
only an occasional shot from the skirmish line. In the forenoon I 
rode up to Dover road and examined a portion of Colonel Upham's 
lines, and had from him a statement that the orders of the preced- 
ing day had been carried out. While there, I received a note from 
Major Clarkson, Twelfth New York Cavalry, advising me that 
negroes reported some 2000 rebels had passed down the Trent road 
early that morning. I showed the note to Colonel Upham, and 
advised the major-general commanding of the fact. I sent at once 
to headquarters, and ordered 200 men of the Seventeenth Massa- 
chusetts to be moved up to strengthen the post at the intersection 
of British and Dover roads. 

"After advising Colonel Upham to use great vigilance, and 
directing the pickets at the intersection of British and Dover roads 
to throw up works for their protection, I started on my return to 
Wise's Forks. Just before reaching that point, I was overtaken by 
Major West of the Twelfth New York Cavalry, who reported his 
pickets were being driven in at the bridge. Immediately on reach- 
ing headquarters, a note was dispatched to Colonel Upham, advis- 
ing him of the fact, but as the orderly did not return, it is supposed 
he was captured. 



splaine's brigade. 355 

"The Eighty-fifth New York Infantry (Captain King) was 
hurried up the Dover road to report to him, with instructions to be 
ready for immediate action, as the rebels were reported moving in 
the direction of the road on which he was marching. Soon after- 
ward, a staff oflacer of Colonel Upham rode up and reported that 
their brigade had been attacked, and nearly the whole of it killed, 
wounded or captured, and one gun of Battery I, Third New York 
Light Artillery lost. I at once started up the Dover road to learn 
for myself the true state of affairs. When near the intersection of 
the British and Dover roads, I came in sight of the abandoned gun, 
which had been retaken by the detachment from the Seventeenth 
Massachusetts Infantry, but before they could cut the traces of 
the dead horses, by which it was encumbered, they were attacked 
in such heavy forces that they were forced back in the direction of 
Wise's Forks. After falling back a short distance they reformed on 
each side of the road, a line of skirmishers advanced and a portion 
of our lost ground was regained. The Eighty-fifth New York 
Infantry failed to form a junction with Colonel Upham and re- 
turned through the woods with small loss. 

"The Ninth was employed in extending and strengthening our 
works. The enemy at one time drove the skirmishers from their 
advanced rifle pits, but they were soon afterwards retaken. The 
works of my left were carried, with the approval of the major- 
general commanding, east of the Trent road, and were providential- 
ly so formed as to aid materially in repulsing the rebel attack on the 
following day. * * * * About noon, on the 10th, the left of our 
skirmish line was driven in by the enemy, who advanced in strong 
force (understood to be Hoke's division) up the Trent road, and 
attacked on our left with vigor. In less than an hour they were 
repulsed by Splaine's brigade and driven back with loss and in 
confusion. Some time afterward an attack was made by the enemy 
on our right, but was easily repulsed. ******. 

"While my thanks are due to all the officers of my command, 
for the gallant manner in which they performed their duty during 
the attack and repulse of the enemy, I desire particularly to men- 
tion Colonel Malloy of the Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry, com- 
manding first brigade; and Lieut. -Colonel Splaine, Seventeenth 



356 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Massachusetts Infantry, commanding third brigade. They were 
cool, energetic and prompt in the performance of their whole 
duty. It is hoped they may be suitably rewarded for the invalu- 
able services they rendered in securing to our arms a decisive 
victory." 

My sincere gratitude is due to Captain J. Waldo Denny of 
the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, for the many items 
of information regarding the battle of "Wise's Forks," furnished 
by him. His timely and courteous assistance has rendered my 
task much easier than it could possibly have been without his aid. 

Hugh Young. 



CHAPTER XII. 

After the Battle — Enter Kinston — General Henderson, 
THE New Brigade Commander — Story of Mrs. Dr. Miller 
OF Kinston, N. C, Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4— On to Raleigh— Gen- 
eral Schofield's Order of Good News — War is Hell — 
Lee's Surrender — Battle of Averysboro — Assassina- 
tion OF Lincoln — Stonewall Jackson's Horse — March 
to Greensboro — Splaine's Irish-African Friend — Had 
Never Seen an Irishman — Graham and Greensboro — 
A Sad War Story — A Massachusetts Secessionist — Hugh 
Young's Glee Club — War Song — In Command at Greens- 
boro — Quarrel with Worthington — Mayor Scott of 
Greensboro Thanks Regiment — One- Year Men Sent 
Home — Fourth of July Salute — Muster-out of the Vet- 
eran Regiment — Remarks by Benjamin P. Rogers — Col- 
onel Splaine 's Valedictory — A Verse. 

On March 14, 1865, and after the command of General Couch 
reached Schofield, from Wihnington, the army took up the march 
for Kinston. The most unpleasant feature of the battle just 
finished was encountered in moving about two miles along the 
main road, where the contending armies had lost many men and 
horses; and now, it being six days since the opening of the fight, 
and the weather fairly warm, the stench from the swollen and putrid 
carcasses of dead horses and bodies of half buried men, made the 
short march almost unbearable. At least a hundred swollen car- 
casses of animals were strewn along the road, and of the hundreds 
of bodies of men buried, many of them, owing to the hurried re- 
treat of the enemy from the battlefield, showed here and there 
a leg or an arm protruding above the ground. Many of the officers 
and men of the now advancing Union Army were made sick at 
their stomachs by the stench, and it was a common remark among 

[357] 



358 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

them that they would rather go into another fight than march 
through that awful place. 

On the 15th the command entered Kinston, being compelled 
to cross the river on pontoons, the enemy having burnt the only 
bridge leading to the town. It marched through and beyond the 
town, and there threw up some pretty good defensive works, as on 
the heights beyond could be seen detachments of the army of Bragg 
and Hoke. 

On the 19th, heavy firing near Smithfield was heard. Splaine's 
brigade was broken up, and the Seventeenth Massachusetts now 
became part of the first brigade, second division. Division of Beau- 
fort, Colonel Classon commanding. On the 20th, marched to 
Whitehall, and on the 21st entered Goldsboro, and at once threw 
up breastworks. No chances could be taken, as everything de- 
pended on meeting and supplying Sherman's army. 



SHERMAN'S ADVANCE ARRIVES. 

On March 22d, while still at work on lines of defence, about 
2 P.M., word that Sherman was within five miles was received, and 
later in the day his advance joined our forces. Next day (23d) 
the Seventeenth Massachusetts was ordered to Bear Creek to 
guard that point, and at the same time get out some heavy timber 
for Sherman's construction corps to build abridge across the stream, 
the former bridge having been burned by the enemy. 

Colonel Splaine, who had resumed command of his regiment, 
first threw up works to defend his position, after which more than 
half the men were kept busy cutting down timber, and shaping 
the same for bridge purposes. This work lasted all that day and 
part of the following day. On the 24th, the regiment being short 
of rations, Colonel Splaine ordered Captain Charles O. Fellows, 
with two companies, to take wagons out with them, and to sieze 
enough food to last a few days. After Captain Fellows' force had 
departed. Colonel Splaine decided to follow, and found the two 
companies at a rich farmer's house taking the necessary supplies. 
Fellows had thrown out skirmishers, as he well knew that Wade 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 359 

Hampton's Confederate Cavalry were prowling around in that 
section. 

Just as Captain Fellows was about to march back to camp, the 
sergeant of the pickets came running in and reported that a con- 
siderable command of cavalry was approaching. Splaine told 
Fellows to get into position for a fight, while the Colonel dashed 
out to the skirmishers, to view the approaching command. 

Adjusting his field glass, he beheld a sight which made him 
burst out laughing. He saw in the distance about three hundred 
men, all mounted, and dressed in all conceivable raiment. He at 
once concluded that they were a body of Sherman's "bummers," 
so-called; but, taking no chances, sent an officer with a flag of truce 
to communicate with the party, and if it should be the enemy, to 
demand their surrender or fight after the flag returned; if friends, 
to halt them and bring their chief officer in for consultation. The 
colonel's guess was right. They were "bummers' ' commanded by 
a sergeant, the latter reporting to the colonel. After a parley, they 
were ordered into camp, where they were detained until the Seven- 
teenth returned to Goldsboro, when the gang was turned over to 
the proper officer. 

In the meantime the construction corps, under competent 
engineer officers arrived, and in four hours had the bridge built, 
— though the span was sixty feet, — so that an engine was run over 
it. The bridge was a good one and may stand there today. 

On the 2oth the regiment was ordered back to Goldsboro. On 
the way it stopped at a farmhouse and had dinner prepared and 
eaten there. The colonel, noticing that the people of the house 
had not eaten any dinner, took the father of the family into his 
confidence, and found that they had not eaten anything for two 
days, because they had nothing to eat, Hampton's men having 
stripped them of everything they had in the shape of food. Feel- 
ing for the poor people, the colonel gave them everything there 
was to eat in his headquarters donkey-cart, hiding it under a bed. 
There was enough food there to keep that family for two weeks. 
At supper-time, when the regiment halted, and all hands hungry, 
there seemed to be no supper for headquarters. Splaine seeming 
anxious about something to eat, suggested to Major Smith that he 



360 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

should find the cook and hurry up the supper. The major was 
absent about fifteen minutes, when he returned accompanied by 
the cook, who very sheepishly reported that there was nothing to 
eat, for the reason that at the farmhouse, where the command had 
dinner, some soldiers, he supposed, had stolen every bit of food 
there was in the cart. 

Splaine, after scolding the cook roundly, ordered him to go 
among the company officers and borrow some hard tack, sugar and 
coffee. The cook came back well supplied, and headquarters had 
something to eat and drink. 

After supper, the command took up the march and reached 
Goldsboro late at night. On March 30th, lots were drawn among 
the captains of the Seventeenth, to choose one to command a firing 
party to execute Private Preble of the Twelfth New York Cavalry, 
Troop D, who had been courtmartialed and sentenced to death. 
Captain Thomas R. Keenan was chosen, and on the next day, 
March 31st, the brigade was formed in three sides of a square, 
and in that presence, Preble was shot to death. His crime was an 
awful one. An odd feature of the execution was that hundreds of 
the Confederate soldiers witnessed the execution from across a 
stream about three hundred yards away. No shots, however, 
were fired by either side. 

On the second of April, the regiment was placed in the third 
brigade, third division of the Twenty-third Army corps. The 
brigade was composed of the One Hundred Twelfth Illinois, One 
Hundred Fortieth Indiana, Sixty-third Indiana and Seventeenth 
Massachusetts, Colonel and Brevet Brig. -General Thomas J. 
Henderson of the One Hundred Twelfth Illinois commanding; 
Brig.-General Carter commanding the division and General Cox 
the corps ; the Twenty-third and Tenth corps making Sherman's 
center under Major-General Schofield. 



GENERAL THOMAS J. HENDERSON. 

General Thomas Jefferson Henderson of the One Hundred 
Twelfth Illinois Infantry Regiment was commander of the last 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 361 

brigade in which the Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment 
served before the close of the war. On April 2, 1865, the brigade in 
which the Seventeenth had been serving, was reorganized, and 
the Seventeenth assigned to the brigade of General Henderson. 
Henderson's brigade now consisted of the One Hundred Twelfth 
Illinois, Seventeenth Massachusetts, One Hundred Fourth Ohio 
and the Sixty Third Indiana Volunteers Infantry Regiments. 
It was an ideal brigade, and was commanded by an ideal brigade 
commander. 

General Henderson brought with him a high character as a 
commanding officer, having served under Generals Wright, Burn- 
side and Schofield in Kentucky, Tennessee, Atlanta Campaign of 
Georgia in Tennessee, and closed his service in North Carolina 
at the close of the war. He was brevetted brigadier-general for 
meritorious service and gallantry in action in the Atlanta and 
Tennessee campaigns, and especially at the battles of Franklin 
and Nashville. He was a brilliant man, a brilliant soldier, was a 
strict disciplinarian in the true meaning of the word, and he soon 
endeared himself to every officer and man of his splendid brigade. 

General Henderson was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, 
November 29, 1824. He was educated in the Brownsville Male 
Academy and in the common schools of Tennessee and Illinois, 
and at Iowa City University of Iowa City, Iowa. He is descended 
on his father's side from the Hendersons of the Highlands of 
Scotland, who settled in Hanover County, Virginia, many genera- 
tions ago; while on his mother's side he is descended from the Ed- 
mund Howard family of North Carolina, many of whom moved 
into Tennessee. General Henderson's wife, Harriet Butler Hend- 
erson, was born in New York City in 1830, and is the daughter of 
Henry Butler and Rebecca Green Butler of New Haven, Conn. 
The general's wife is descended from Samuel Green the celebrated 
printer of Cambridge, Mass. 

There were born to General and Mrs. Henderson four children, 
three daughters, being the beautiful and accomplished Mrs. 
Gertrude R. Dunbar, Mrs. Sarah Ella Durley, and Mrs. Mary 
Louise Farnsworth; and one son, Mr. Thomas Butler Henderson. 



362 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

General Henderson was an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln^ 
and while a member of the Illionis legislature, when a mere youth, 
voted consistently and persistently for Lincoln to be United States 
Senator. He changed his vote finally, at the request of Lincoln, 
to Lyman Trumbull, in order to defeat Stephen A. Douglass. 
The friendship so pleasantly formed between Lincoln and Hender- 
son, in their youth, lasted without interruption, up to the death 
of President Lincoln. 

Mr. Lincoln wrote several letters to Henderson, thanking, 
him for his friendship and support on various occasions, photo- 
graphic copies of which are now (1910) in the possession of Colonel 
Splaine, but are not for publication. 

General Henerson served as a member of Congress from 
Illinois continuously for twenty years, ten terms, from the 44th 
to the 53d Congresses. At the present writing, he is chairman 
of the Board of Commissioners for the government of the National 
Soldiers' Homes. 



STORY OF MRS. DR. MILLER OF KINSTON, N. C. 



Part I. 



Another of those curious episodes which are not of unfrequent 
occurrence in the stirring times of warfare, and which serve to illus- 
trate the adage that "truth is stranger than fiction," had its incep- 
tion at the time of the battle of Kinston, N. C, December 14, 1862, 
On that day, after the Union forces had taken possession of the 
city and settled down for the night, some in vacated dwellings, 
some in fields behind their stacked arms, while others patrolled 
the city and suburbs, others doing picket duty out o*f the city 
and well towards the lines of the Confederate army, many officers, 
among them Captain Henry Splaine of Company A, Seventeenth 
Regiment (who has given the story to the compiler of this history) 
strolled through some of the principal streets, in order to witness^ 
the sights in a city just captured by their own forces. 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 363 

The streets presented a gloomy appearance, the hghting being 
bad, except, perhaps where some general officer had selected some 
imposing residence as his headquarters, and such places as these 
presented an inviting appearance, by contrast, at least. One 
of these conspicuous residences attracted the attention of Captain 
Splaine, because he noticed a number o^ Union soldiers under arms 
in front of it, and heard some hurried orders being given by an 
officer whose voice sounded familiar to him. Upon drawing near 
he found the building to be the headquarters of the provost guard, 
under command of Major Jones Frankle of his own regiment, who 
was provost marshal of the Goldsboro Expedition. The captain 
also noticed that at some distance beyond the provost guard 
station a large fire was burning, which caused some excitement. 

Major Frankle hurridly got his guards together to proceed 
to the fire, with the purpose of not only saving property, but per- 
haps life as well. When he caught sight of Captain Splaine, he ex- 
claimed, "You are just the man I want! Hold up your right 
hand! and before the captain realized what it was all about, he was 
sworn in as acting provost marshal. 

The fire was the work of rebel soldiers, who, under orders, 
had collected all the bales of cotton to be found in Kinston and 
set them on fire. As the flames spread, the conflagration became 
spectacular; but through the exertions of our men, under direction 
of the provost marshall, most of the cotton was saved. 

Captain Splaine, now finding himself filling the important 
position of acting provost marshal, settled down to the business 
on hand. He was not long in making the acquaintance of several 
Confederate officers captured that day, among whom was Lieu- 
tenant Evans, who, with his entire company, had been captured 
that day by the captain's own company. 

While conversing with these officers, a handsome woman 
entered the office whose dress and bearing betokened refinement 
and respectability. At the same time it was evident that she had 
dressed hurridly for the street, and was very much excited. After 
looking around for a moment, she asked in a loud voice, "Is there 
a commissioned officer present?" "I have the honor to be one 
madame," rephed Captain Splaine. She then said "Then sir^ 



364 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

I ask your protection;" and added, "I am a Northern woman." 
To this remark the captain rephed, "It makes no difference, 
madam, whether you are from the North or the South, you shall 
be protected' ' ; and added that it gave him great pleasure to be in 
a position which enabled him to be of assistance to the lady. 

The lady then informed him that she was Mrs. Dr. Miller, 
that her husband was a surgeon in the Confederate Army, that 
since the entrance of our troops into the city her home had been 
invaded by Northern soldiers, who demanded that she should 
furnish them food, and cook it for them; that she had shown her 
willingness to comply by putting her servants to work, cooking for 
them, but had found it impossible to please them ; that a number of 
them became abusive, had demolished some of her furniture, and 
had even threatened her own safety, as well as that of her servants. 
She finished by saying that they were a pack of uncouth men. 
When the story was told, the captain said, "Madam, I will pro- 
tect you and your property, no matter at what cost.' ' 

He then wrote a "safeguard," and looking over the guards 
present, espied his brother Herbert, to whom he said, "Take this 
safeguard, go with Mrs. Miller, and give her the protection which 
she requires. Take with you half a dozen men and clean out that 
gang of fellows who are making trouble. After you have restored 
quiet again in the lady's house, j^ou may dismiss your guards, but 
remain in the house and protect it until further orders. Be sure 
to keep your musket loaded at all times and have your bayonet 
ready at hand." (A safeguard,it may be explained,is a written in- 
strument given to guards in charge of a building or other property 
in time of war, its possession and terms being inviolable, the penalty 
for forcible disregard of its authority being death.) 

In choosing his brother for this delicate and important task, he 
chose wisely, for his brother, though peaceable of disposition, when 
on duty was inflexible and would not be trifled with. 

The guard and Mrs. Miller departed for her home, but not 
until after she had obtained the full names of the captain and his 
brother and thanked the officer for his prompt response to her 
application for protection. On reaching the lady's home Herbert 
and his fellow-guardsmen made short work of the turbulant 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 365 

fellows who had literally taken possession of the premises. After 
quiet was restored, the guards retired, one by one, leaving the 
capta,in's brother in full charge. It is needless to say that the 
latter was furnished with good food and other creature comforts 
such as he had not enjoyed since his entry into the service. 

After Major Frankle and his provost guard had returned, 
after extinguishing the big fire, and the major had assumed his 
duties, Captain Splaine visited the home of Mrs. Dr. Miller, to 
see that the protection he had given her was ample, and that his 
brother was properly cared for, as well as properly instructed in 
his duties. The captain spent a pleasant half hour chatting with 
Mrs. Miller and his brother. During the visit he learned much 
about the lady's history. She was of a most respectable Northern 
family, as will be seen later. 

The captain called again the next morning and instructed 
his brother that he must be among the last to leave the city, and 
to see to it in the meantime that the property and person of the 
lady be protected to the last. Mrs. Miller was most profuse in 
her thanks to the captain and his brother, saying, among other 
things, "I hope, captain, to be able to show you some time that I 
gratefully appreciate your kindness for having protected me, my 
children and my property. You are a chivalrous and honorable 
man; your brother is a true soldier, and in bidding you good bye, 
I wish to add that I hope God may bless you and yours.' ' 

Herbert remained until the army had marched out of the 
city and falling in with the rear guard did not catch up with his 
regiment until night. 



Part II. 



When Mrs. Miller said she hoped some time to be able to 
show that she gratefully appreciated the kindness shown her, 
neither she nor the captain expected that the time would come 
when she would have the opportunity of redeeming that promise; 
but, as the sequel will show, she not only had that opportunity, 
but that she nobly redeemed it. 



366 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

The captain occasionally recalled that Mrs. Miller episode, 
but as time wore on, and as the excitement of the campaign and 
his duties as an officer absorbed most of his attention, he simply 
remembered it as one of the many opportunities that an officer 
had of smoothing the rough front of war and shedding a ray of 
happiness upon those who suffered much in its vicissitudes. 

A whole 3^ear passed before the captain was vividly reminded 
of his kindness to Mrs. Miller. In the latter part of 1863, the 
government saw fit to re-enlist the men whose terms of service 
would expire the following summer, that is, as many of them as 
were willing to re-enlist. In December, 1863, Captain Splaine, 
with sixty-four of the men of his company, who had re-enlisted, 
marched to the paymaster's office in Newbern to get their pay and 
bounty. Arriving there, the captain made known his errand to 
the paymaster, who told him that there were a number of men 
ahead of him, and that he and his men would have to await their 
turn. The captain said, "All right, sir,' ' and proceeded to mingle 
and converse with a number of the officers who were there for the 
same purpose as himself. After a short time, the paymaster came 
out among the officers and inquired whether any of them had 
taken part in the battle of Kinston, fought about a year before. 
A number of the officers answered in the affirmative. Then the 
paymaster said there was an officer there somewhere who had 
protected his daughter after the battle referred to, saving not 
only her property, but perhaps her life, and that if he could find 
that officer, he would like to reward him. "I have forgotten 
his name,' ' he said, " and I wish I could find him.' ' 

The facts related by the paymaster, recalled to Captain 
Splaine the incidents already related, and he inquired, ''Do you 
mean Mrs. Dr. Miller, major?" The major at once said, "Mrs. 
Dr. Miller! What do you know about her? She is my daughter, 
sir." 

The captain said, "Then, sir, I am the officer you are looking 
for. I protected your daughter, and am proud of the fact.' ' 
"And your name?' ' demanded the major. 
" I am Captain Splaine.' ' 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 367 

"That's it! That's it," said the major, and taking the 
captain's hand, tears roUing down his cheeks, cried, "I thank you, 
sir! I thank you! May I not reward you? Sir, may I not offer 
you some consideration for having protected my daughter?' ' 

To all of which the captain replied that he was already well 
paid for simply having done his duty as a soldier and a gentleman 
in the case of Mrs. Miller. The major inquired, "How have you 
been paid, sir?' ' To which the captain made answer that he had 
the proud satisfaction of having done right when he protected 
the lady, and added, "I would have protected a Southern lady as 
quickly as I protected your daughter, although perhaps the 
pleasure at meeting a Southern lady at such a time might not 
have been so great. My country pays me for the faithful per- 
formance of my duty, and I cannot therefore take pay from 
any other source.' ' 

The major, finding the captain inflexible in the matter of 
compensation, excused himself for a moment. The captain then 
noticed that several clerks had been summoned by the major, 
and a few minutes later his sixty-four veterans were called up by 
them and were given their pay and bounty as veteran volunteers. 
Again there was a hasty consultation by the major with one of 
his clerks, followed by the temporary absence of the clerk, accom- 
panied by two colored men, upon whose return there was a general 
suspension of clerical and other official business, special attention 
being paid to a hamper, which, when opened, proved to be a 
basket of champagne. There also appeared at the same time a 
box of nice cigars. Then the major, to explain matters to the 
assembled officers and others present, said: 

"Gentlemen, give me your attention for a moment;" and, 
when all showed a willingness to listen, he told the story of his 
daughter, Mrs. Miller of Kinston, and of the protection afforded 
her by their brother officer. Captain Splaine. The captain felt 
flattered, and yet embarrassed at the recital of the major, and still 
more so when every officer and clerk came forward, shook him by 
the hand and congratulated him for his gallantry in caring for the 
major's daughter at a time when there was danger to her and 
discomfort all around her. 



368 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

The good things which had been brought in by the clerk 
and his colored assistants were now dispensed by the major to all 
present, and warm and patriotic remarks were freely offered by 
the officers, all joining in the hope that the lady in question might 
live a long and happy life, and that her father, the gallant major, 
might soon be united with her under peaceful and happy conditions. 

About a month after the events just related, the major chanced 
to meet the captain on the street, and joyfully informed him that 
he had succeeded in communicating with his daughter. He took 
from his pocket a letter written by her, and passed it to the captain 
to read. The letter was full of expressions of devotion and love 
for her father, and after writing two pages about the family, she 
expressed herself as highly pleased that her father had been able 
to find Captain Splaine and thank him for her, and also expressed 
the wish that her father and the captain should become fast friends. 
The friendship between the two officers so peculiarly formed, it 
may be said, lasted while they were stationed near to each other; 
but in a very short time the major was ordered away to another 
station, and they never met again. The captain was sorry to 
lose his friend, and often thought of the strange chain of circum- 
stances which had brought them together; but as time rolled on, 
he began to think that the end of the Mrs. Miller episode had come 
at last. Not yet, however for the strangest and most interesting 
part was yet to come. 



Part III. 



In the late winter of 1864, and the early spring of 1865, 
Captain Splaine now lieutenant-colonel in command of the new 
Seventeenth Regiment (his old regiment reorganized) then stationed 
at Shepardsville, otherwise known as Newport Barracks, North 
Carolina, was ordered to take the field with his regiment, in a 
movement under General Schofield, having for its object the 
opening up of communication with General Sherman, and the 
supply of his army then on its way to Virginia in the comprehensive 
military operations to end the war. 



■^ 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 369 

At this time, Colonel Splaine's wife and their only son were 
on a visit to North Carolina, living with Uncle Nat Porter, who, 
with his daughter Nan, had given them a pleasant home for the 
time being. When the regiment started on its last campaign, 
the wife and son were left behind, but were well provided with 
funds. While on the march from Newbern to Kinston, the colonel 
was appointed acting brigadier-general, which was rapid promotion 
for a young man who was only a captain four months before. 

The only protection which he could give his wife and son in 
his absence was a letter addressed to any commissioned officer 
of the United States Army, asking for such protection and care 
as they might stand in need of. Eight days after his departure 
from Newbern, the battle of Wise's Forks was fought, and during 
the fight Mrs. Splaine could distinctly hear the artillery booming 
in the distance. Knowing that her husband and his two brothers 
were in the fight, it may be judged that she suffered great mental 
agony while waiting to hear the details of the battle. 

On the eve of the battle, the colonel had written his wife, 
begging her to go North as soon as she could get away, as he 
knew that the enemy was in force, and evidently intended to 
make things pretty warm in North Carolina, and that in case of a 
reverse to the Union arms she and her son might sulTer at the hands 
of men who, perhaps, might not accord to her the consideration 
which every gentleman owes to a lady. In reply she said that 
she could not go home, as she felt it to be her duty to remain near 
her husband and his brothers, so that she might act as nurse in 
case any of them should be wounded, or, if her own should escape, 
then she would feel it a duty (noble woman) to nurse any Union 
soldier who was wounded or sick and required such care. 

The battle of Wise's Forks was fought and the victory rested 
with the Union troops, whose victorious columns pushed on and 
into Kinston, where they rested several days. The colonel, 
while there, thought of Mrs. Miller, but his duties were so pressing 
that he could not find time to look up friends, his purpose being 
to look for the enemy and whack him when he could. Besides, he 
concluded, in all probability, she and her family had left Kinston. 



370 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

The army pushed on to Goldsboro, and united with Sherman's 
army, the latter then much in need of suppUes. From Goldsboro, 
the colonel wrote to his wife, again begging her to go home, but 
upon comparing notes afterwards, this letter never reached her. 
After Sherman's army had rested, had been refitted and supplied, 
the cry was: "On to Raleigh!" where it was expected that short 
work would be made of General Joe Johnson's army. Before 
leaving Goldsboro, the colonel wrote to his wife again, urging her to 
go North, but this letter, like thousands of others sent at that time, 
never reached its destination because of the irregularity of the 
mails and the general interruption of all lines of communication. 
Mrs. Splaine, not hearing from her husband, became desperate, 
and made up her mind to follow the army, and, if possible, join 
the colonel. She reached Kinston one afternoon, finding her- 
self a stranger in a strange city. She could not go any farther that 
day, as there were no trains leaving the city until the next day. 
She inquired for a hotel, but was told that there was none in the 
town. She then inquired for a boarding-house, and was told that 
it was difficult to find one. 



Part IV. 



Here, indeed, was a situation that was most discouraging, 
and called for all her fortitude to face, but she set out bravely to 
encounter it. She now spoke with several colored women, who 
gave her little or no encouragement, until she came upon one of 
the real old-fashioned mammies, who told her that there was only 
one genteel boarding house in town, and that it was kept by a 
great lady who was "right 'tickler 'bout de kind ob folks she took 
in." The good mammy, fearing that disappointment would 
attend Mrs. Splaine's efforts with the "great lady," said that if 
the lady "won' take you in, missus, an' you will come wif me, 
honey, I will take yous to my own house an' wait on you, mam — 
'deed I will, mam. I will find suffen to eat for your se'f and de 
dear fir boy." 

Mrs. Splaine now said to her.self, well if the "great lady" 
refuses me, I am at least sure of some sort of shelter by the 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 371 

good old colored woman.' ' In a few minutes they reached the house 
of the ''great lady." It was a fine house, considering the style 
of houses in Kinston over forty years ago. On looking at the 
building, Mrs. Splaine saw signs in the windows, which read: 
"Respectable lodgers taken. Best of references required." 
She thought, "Well, I am all right now, for surely she won't refuse 
me." Upon rapping at the door and waiting for a few minutes, 
a lady answered the summons and asked what she could do for the 
new-comers. Mrs. Splaine said she was going up the country to 
join her husband, who was an officer in the Union Army, and not 
feeling well, and having her boy to care for, she desired to rest 
for a few days before resuming her journey. She added that she 
had plenty of money and was willing to pay well for the accom- 
modation which she desired and needed. The lady said she was 
very particular about the character of applicants for accommo- 
dation, and asked if Mrs. Splaine had any references as to her 
identity and respectability. The latter being an entire stranger 
in the place, and supposing some local reference was required, 
replied that she had none. 

"Then, madam," said the lady, "I cannot receive you." 
Mrs. Splaine then said she did not know any one in Kinston 
who could answer for her, and again pressed her request for accom- 
modation, adding that she would deposit sufficient money to meet 
all contingencies. The lady then said, "Is there no other way by 
which you can establish your identity and respectability?' ' 

Mrs, Splaine thought a moment, and then remembering the 
letter given her by her busband to any commissioned officer of 
the army, replied, "All I have is a letter given me by my husband, 
which you may read if you desire' '. 

The lady read the letter very carefully, looked inquiringly 
and in silence at the new-comer. Then she asked, "Madam, are 
you the wife of Colonel Splaine?' ' 

" I am,' ' replied Mrs. Splaine. 

"Was Colonel Splaine ever a captain?' ' 

"He was." 

"Was he in the battle of Kinston over two years ago?' ' 

"He was." 



372 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

" Has he any brothers?' ' 

The answer was in the affirmative. 

" Kindly name the brothers who served with him when he was 
captain,' ' requested the lady. 

The answer came : "James, William and Herbert.' ' 

At this confirmation of the identity of the stranger, the lady 
returned the letter, while her manner became most cordial. She 
now said: "Mrs. Splaine, you are most welcome to my house. 
Your husband. Captain Henry Splaine, and his brother Herbert 
protected me, my family and my property at a time when I was in 
dire distress. I will protect you and your son now.' ' 

She advanced and embraced Mrs. Splaine and her son. At 
this juncture Mrs. Splaine dismissed her mammy escort, but not 
until she had paid her well for her proffered hospitality. 

"Come in, at once," said Mrs. Miller. "Make yourselves 
at home, and remain as my guests as long as you please." Both 
ladies wept. The lady, as it must be guessed, was no other than 
Mrs. Doctor Miller of Kinston, N. C. The time had come when 
she found herself in a position to repay the captain who had pro- 
tected her two years and four months before. 

The servants were at once set to work to provide the new- 
comers with a substantial meal. The evening was spent as 
pleasantly as could be expected under the circumstances. It was 
a curious situation that surrounded the new friends: Doctor 
Miller was a surgeon in the Confederate Army, and Mrs. Miller 
did not know whether he was dead or alive. Colonel Splaine was 
in the Union Army, pushing on against Ceneral Johnston's forces. 
Notwithstanding these conditions the ladies drew some enjoyment 
from the new acquaintanceship and the similarity of their present 
condition in regard to the absence of their husbands. But Mrs. 
Splaine's son, a boy of six years, fully enjoyed himself. He was 
soon boss of the house, and had lots of fun with the colored people. 

It was learned that Mrs. Miller, not having received any 
financial assistance from her husband for a long time, conceived 
the idea of opening a genteel boarding and lodging house. In the 
course of the sojourn in Mrs. Miller's house, the ladies talked on 
many subjects, but the one which pleased the hostess most was 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 373 

that in connection with the battle of Kinston in 1862, and the 
train of strange circumstances which brought Mrs. Splaine and her 
son as guests under her roof. 

Mrs. Splaine now wrote to her husband, telling him of her 
experience since his departure from Newbern, and her happy- 
meeting with Mrs. Dr. Miller. The colonel answered the letter, 
sending warm greetings to that lady, thanking her for her kindness 
to his wife and child, and directing his wife to go North as soon as 
she had become rested. 

At the proper time, when she had recovered from her fatigue, 
Mrs. Splaine, accompanied by Mrs. Miller, and Mrs. Captain 
Webber of the colonel's regiment, went to Newbern, where she 
took a steamer for New York. Mrs. Miller absolutely refused 
to take any compensation for the time that Mrs. Splaine and her 
son were guests in her house. But this would not do. Mrs. 
Splaine, with true woman's wit, made Mrs. Capt. Webber the 
medium through whom Mrs. Miller was surprised with a full and 
liberal payment for her kindness to mother and son. 

During Mrs. Splaine's life after the war, she corresponded 
with Mrs. Miller, and received many pressing invitations to 
repeat her visit to Kinston, N. C. Mrs. Splaine and Mrs. Miller 
were good women — good mothers and good wives. In stature 
and general appearances they were not unlike, being stately 
and attractive in many ways. Mrs. Splaine died in 1880, and Mrs. 
Miller in 1900. The boy who figured in this story is alive today, 
and is well known among billiardists in Boston. His full name is 
Richard E. Splaine, but is commonly known as Ned Splaine. 
He, at the age of 25, married Margaret Griffin, the beautiful 
daughter of the late Dennis and Margaret Griffin of Quincy street, 
Charlestown, Mass. 

And once more Colonel Splaine had almost forgotten about 
Mrs. Miller, until meeting a lady not long ago, in the State House, 
who knew her well and had spent some days with her in Kinston, 
N. C, a short time before her (Mrs. Miller's) death. This lady, 
when asked if she knew Mrs. Miller, replied, "Did I know her well? 
I guess I did, and I knew her whole family. She was the daughter 



374 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

of Major Henry and the sister of General William Henry of the 
Union Army." 

The compiler of this history, while talking with Colonel 
Splaine not long since, asked the truth of the narrative. The 
colonel replied, "Every word of it is true; and speaking of Mrs. 
Splaine and Mrs. Miller, — they were beautiful women, dear and 
devoted friends, and both have gone beyond. May they meet 
in heaven." 



ON TO RALEIGH. 



The regiment soon found itself at home under the new brigade 
commander, Brevet-Brigadier-General Henderson of Ilhnois. He 
was educated, brave, affable, but a disciplinarian. He had seen 
plenty of fighting in Sherman's army, and bore the enviable name 
of being a splendid commander. On April 8, a telegram from General 
Grant to General Sherman gave this important information: 

April 2d, 1865. 
To Major-General Sherman : 

Lee's men are scattering and going to their homes by thou- 
sands. I will push him to the end. Push Johnston in the mean- 
time, and let us finish up this job at once. 

U. S. Grant, Lieut.-General. 

(An official copy of this dispatch is in the hands of Colonel 
Splaine at this writing.) 

This good news was immediately followed by the news that 
Richmond had been captured, along with 25,000 prisoners and 
500 pieces of artillery. General Henderson deemed the news so 
important that he invited all the officers of his brigade to head- 
quarters, announced the good news and all made merry and were 
happy. The cry now was: "On to Raleigh!" and on April 10, 
Sherman's army began its march for the capital of the state. 



the seventeenth massachusetts regiment. 375 

Headquarters Dept., North Carolina, 
GoLDSBORo, N. C, April 7, 1865. 
Special Field Orders, 
No. 24. 

The following orders were re-published for the information 
of this command : 

Headquarters Mil. Div. of the Miss. 
In the Field, Goldsboro, N. C., April 6, 1865. 

Special Field Orders, 
No 49. 
The following telegram just received is announced with great 
pleasure and satisfaction by the General-in-chief for the informa- 
tion of the army. 

City Point, Va., April 6, 1865. 

To Major-Gen. W. T. Sherman: 

On Monday morning the second (2) we charged and carried 
the enemy's entire line south of the Appamatox, defeated and drove 
back Lee's army and the same evening enveloped Petersburgh 
from the Appomatox above, to the river below. About one (1) 
o'clock Monday morning Petersburgh was evacuated and we took 
possession of it at 8:15. Weitzel took possession of Richmond 
with his command north of the James. Jeff Davis and his cabinet 
and Lee with most of his army are retreating in hot haste towards 
Danville ; the other column is falling back on Lynchburg. We are 
pressing vigorously. Our prisoners will number from twelve thou- 
sand (12,000) to fifteen thousand (15,000) with several hundred 
pieces of artillery. Much of the tobacco and cotton in Petersburgh 
and Richmond was burned by the enemy. He also attempted 
to burn Richmond. Weitzel succeeded in putting out the fires, 
but not until several districts were in ruins. Everything is quiet 
there now and the people receive our army with great rejoicing. 

(Signed) G. S. Bowers, 

A. A. G. 



376 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Army commanders will order a salute of one hundred guns to 
be fired from each permanent fort in the Department of North 
Carolina, and Department of the South in honor of the event. 
By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, 

(Signed) L. M. Dayton, 

A. A. G. 
So much of the above order as directs a salute of one hundred 
guns to be fired from each permanent fort, in the Department of 
North Carolina, will be executed under the directions of Brig.-Gen. 
I. N. Palmer Comdg. District of Beaufort and Brig.-Gen. Jas. R. 
Hawley Comdg. District of Wilmington. 

By order of Maj. -Gen. Schofield, 

(Signed.) J. A. Campbell, 

Lt. Col. and A. A. G. 
Official, 

W. F. Henderson, 
Captain and A. A. A. G. 



HAD NEVER SEEN AN IRISHMAN. 

During the first day's march f rom Goldsboro, the Seventeenth, 
having halted for dinner, Colonel Splaine was destined to receive a 
benefit because he was Irish. A gentleman came from a nice resi- 
dence near by, and asked the colonel what part of the country his 
regiment came from. The reply was from Massachusetts. "Then 
you are all Yankees?" queried the visitor. "Not quite all, sir," 
replied Splaine. "The great majority of my men are Yankees, 
but we have some Irish, English, a few French and a few Germans.' ' 
The visitor said, "Now, do say, have you an Irishman here?" 
and continued by sajdng that although he was fifty years of age, 
he had never seen an Irishman; and then, in a confidential way, 
said, "I understand that they are very repulsive-looking people." 
Having thus delivered himself, he asked the colonel to show him 
an Irishman. The colonel now called up Mike Sullivan, to whom 
he spoke and then dismissed him, without revealing the true 
reason for summoning him. Mike was not a handsome man, but 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 377 

he was intelligent and a brave soldier. The visitor remarked that 
Mike was not a repulsive-looking man, and added: "Well, well; 
that is the first Irishman I ever saw." The colonel said, "He is 
not the first you have seen." The visitor insisted that he w^as. 
The colonel said, " No, sir; you saw me.' ' The visitor said the colo- 
nel must be joking, but the latter was so emphatic in his assertion 
that he was Irish that the gentleman begged his pardon, and in- 
vited the officer up to his house that he might present him to his 
wife and daughters. The colonel, whose larder had been rather 
lean of late, anticipating the gastronomic delights which southern 
hospitality might yield, consented to go. 

When the colonel reached the house and was presented to the 
ladies, his host remarked: "Only think of it, Colonel Splaine is an 
Irishman," and added that he had always thought the Irish were 
very repulsive-looking people. The eldest girl, — a beautiful and 
accomplished young lady, — said, "Why, paw, what are you saying. 
If you had been in Baltimore as much as I have, you would have 
seen many Irish people, and I want you to know that they are 
among the first in the world.' ' 

Splaine, who was more interested at that time about the 
cuisine of the house than the Irish question, was soon relieved of 
anxiety when he beheld the conventional southern mammy trundle 
in "right smart" a table laden with good things to eat. He did 
justice to himself and the whole Union Army as well. 

After the repast, the whole family entered into social conversa- 
tion. They were bright and refined people, but strongly " secesh.' ' 
Upon being asked what the war news was, the colonel told of the 
fall of Richmond, and that Grant was chasing Lee's demoralized 
army. The news was a great shock to them. They couldn't 
understand how such things could have happened, and were dum- 
founded. The colonel, now feeling that the object of his expedition 
had been accomplished, bade the family farewell, and returned to 
his command. 

"WAR IS HELL!" 

A few days out from Goldsboro, the Union troops, in pursuit 
of Johnston's army, — General Henderson and staff, halted on the 



378 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

roadside one day for dinner. At that time, Colonel Splaine, 
mounted, was walking his horse slowly along the road, killing time, 
as his regiment was having its noonday meal. Upon seeing 
Splaine, the general requested him to dismount and have something 
to eat. The colonel was willing, but circumstances over which 
neither had control compelled them to wait a considerable time be- 
fore they could attend to the eating. Loud noises on the hillside 
above attracted Henderson's attention. He listened for a moment, 
jumped to his feet and looked angrily in the direction of a respect- 
able-looking farmhouse, from which arose the screams of women, 
barking of dogs, cries of hens and chickens and quacking of ducks 
and geese. He was about to start for the scene of the disturbance, 
but one of his staff told the general to sit down and enjoy his meal, 
and he (the staff officer) would run up and stop the disturbance. 
The general, however, insisted on going himself, and did go unat- 
tended. When the soldiers who had caused the disturbance saw 
the general coming, they skedaddled, and the commotion subsided. 
The general was absent about an hour, and when he returned he 
was silent and looked sad. His subordinates, judging that some- 
thing unusual had happened, made no reference to his visit to the 
farmhouse. 

After a long pause. General Henderson broke the silence by 
saying, "My G-d, this is awful! What do you suppose I found at 
that farmhouse?' ' He said he found the men of his own regiment, 
his own neighbors and sons of neighbors from Illinois robbing his 
own cousin's house. At this announcement, the whole party be- 
came interested, and sympathetically inquired what it all meant. 
The general then explained that Mr. Howard, his own cousin, was 
proprietor of the house which was being robbed. 

The general found in the house his aunt and two cousins, — 
young women, — but no men, as the latter had all joined the Confed- 
erate army, and were probably killed during the war. The general, 
after this recital, ceased eating for a moment, and exclaimed, "War 
is hell !' ' just as surely as Sherman said it. The hour he spent with 
his relatives revived the lost relationship of the southern and 
western families of the Howards,^ — formerly of Sampson county. 
North Carolina, — and the sadness which he felt at finding his own 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 379 

men robbing his cousin's home, must have been mingled with a 
degree of satisfaction at having been on tlie spot to protect his 
helpless relations, though he had never seen them before. 

After all, the robbery in question, which so grieved the good 
general, was simply a case of foraging. It should be understood 
that it was no small undertaking to supply an army of ninety 
thousand men, especially when it is considered that the railroad 
lines, — the only means of transporting the immense stores needed 
for the sustenance of Sherman's army, — were nearly worn out, and 
that these lines were being tapped quite often by the enemy's 
cavalry. 

The men of Henderson's regiment were short enough of rations 
and their visits to the substantial farmhouse on the hillside was 
simply to obtain a few additions to their scant grub, — a few hams, 
some chickens and potatoes. Henderson was a sensitive and 
honorable commander, and never permitted his men to crowd the 
poor natives. 

NEWS OF LEE'S SURRENDER. 

On the 12th of April, 1865, while Sherman's army was halted 
for dinner, and the ninety thousand men composing that grand 
army were scattered along either side of the main road to Raleigh, 
some quietly sleeping after eating, others in the act of eating, and 
still others joking, smoking, jesting or singing patriotic songs, and 
all receiving the warm rays of an April sun, — which was fully as 
warm there as in Massachusetts in June, — a single horseman, hat in 
hand, bowing to the right and left, rushed along the roadway and 
in a loud voice tried to tell the army something; but his words 
were so indistinct that no one could understand him, and only 
laughter and derision greeted his progress. He was a staff officer 
who had been chosen by General Sherman to announce something 
important to the army — something so important that it drove the 
poor fellow crazy. He spurred his horse madly, rode wildly and 
tried to tell something, but he could not find words to tell it, and 
when he reached the end of the line, a general officer placed him 
under restraint, and seeing that he was hopelessly insane, and 



380 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, 

knowing him to be one of General Sherman's staff, had him taken 
back under cavalry guard. After a lapse of half an hour, another 
officer was sent from Sherman's headquarters to tell the same story. 
He was a major, — a noble-looking fellow, — well mounted, a grace- 
ful rider, and just such a soldier as one would pick to lead a charge. 
As he came down the road bowing gracefully to the right and left, 
he shouted in a loud and distinct voice, ''Boys, Lee's army has 
surrendered!" 

That was enough, and then there were ninety thousand crazy 
men along that road. They yelled, huzzad and cheered again and 
again. They rushed at one another embraced, kicked, thumped, 
wrestled, turned somersaults, rolled and tumbled, and in fact did 
everything but bite one another. They were uncontrollable, be- 
yond all restraint and discipline. They did all sorts of mad, crazy 
things. 

The news meant the near approach of peace, when all would 
return to their homes and friends, welcomed and praised for the 
heroic part they had taken in suppressing the rebellion, and bring- 
ing to all the people the blessings of peace and prosperity. 

The men of the Seventeenth conceived and quickly executed 
the plan of cutting down a straight tree, and had it trimmed by the 
pioneers, fastened the regimental flag to the small end, inserted 
the large end in a deep hole and raised it toward the sky. When the 
pole was securely held in the ground, the stars and stripes were 
cheered and cheered, men from other commands joining in the 
demonstration, until a great crowd collected about it. 

Colonel Splaine wondered how his men could have accomplished 
such a task so quickly, but they did it in less time than it takes to 
tell it. 

At this time General Thomas J. Henderson rode along the 
highway to see what all the commotion meant. As soon as the 
men espied him, they shouted, "Speech! Speech!" The general 
declined, but the rush for him was so great that Colonel Splaine 
said, "You had better say something, general, or they will tear 
you off your horse! They are crazy, — say something!" After 
a moment of hesitation, he replied. He took his hearers in imagi- 
nation back to the days just before the war, when heavy and fore- 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 381 

boding clouds hung over the nation; told about the opening of the 
fratricidal war; of the many disasters to the Union Armies during 
the four years of its continuance, and how often he had feared that 
the result would be disastrous to our forces, and the life of the 
nation crushed out; but now, happily, ''the clouds that lowered 
above our house' ' had been dispelled, and under the blessed dis- 
pensation of Almighty God, the sunshine of peace, fraternity and 
union was returning and warning the loyal hearts of those who had 
despaired or doubted so long. He then paused and said, "It is 
no use; I can't make a speech. My heart is too full." The men 
still clamored for a speech, and then the general, raising his hat high 
above his head, and looking reverently at the flag of the Seven- 
teenth waving on high in the blue vault, said, "The only speech I 
can make is, let us pray.' ' As he said this, the tears ran down the 
bronzed cheeks of the hero. The men bowed their heads in solemn 
silence for a moment, and then, looking up gave vent to a wild 
cheer which could be heard for miles. Then looking up at that flag, 
the vast throng sang "The Star Spangled Banner,' ' and when that 
anthem was finished, some singer started "Home, Sweet Home," 
during the singing of which, by the assemblange, there were many 
more wet eyes than dry ones among them. 



Now, it was "after Johnston!' ' and for the purpose of bringing 
him to bay, the Fourteenth and Twentieth corps were detached 
and sent in pursuit of the wily Confederate commander. Johnston 
led them a lively chase, and in order that no battle would be fought 
near Raleigh, deflected his course from the main road leading to 
that city. Johnston was fighting the Union advance daily, attack- 
ing small bodies with great advantage, but when the main body of 
the Union Army was ready to punish him, he was not to be found. 



BATTLE OF AVERYSBOROUGH. 

As our theme is still war, the writer sees nothing amiss in re- 
verting to the battle of Averysborough, fought on March 16, 1865, 



382 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

between the army of General Joe Johnston and the Fourteenth 
Corps of General Sherman's army. For weeks Sherman had been 
trying to bring on a general engagement with Johnston; but the 
latter, knowing that Sherman outnumbered him about as four to 
one, declined to meet him, contenting himself with harassing his 
enemy whenever opportunity offered. 

At last Johnston, by skilful manoeuvring, drew the Fourteenth 
corps from Sherman's main body, and there was trouble for the 
latter at once. Through the masterly skill of Johnston, his army 
gave the Fourteenth corps a sound drubbing, kiUing and wounding 
many, taking many prisoners and capturing many pieces of artillery. 
The writer has talked with several commanders, (some of them 
regular army officers,) about the battle of Avery sborough, and all 
of them agreed that it was the most skilfully conducted fight on the 
part of the Confederates that there is any record of in the annals 
of war. 

With his small, half-starved, half-clothed, unpaid army, with 
scarcely ammunition enough to finish the fight, he won a battle 
under circumstances so adverse to his side that his victory was all 
the more notable, and stamped him as the equal of any commander 
then living. 

LINCOLN'S DEATH. 

On April 13, Carter's Division was halted on the brow of the 
highland overlooking Raleigh, a small body of cavalry being sent 
in to ascertain conditions there, and on the 14th, the army marched 
into and through the city, going into camp on the opposite side. 
Carter's division, of which the Seventeenth was a part, encamped 
just outside of the city, and settled down for a much needed rest. 

On April 17, there was a rumor that President Lincoln had 
been assassinated, but nobody wanted to believe it, and all re- 
garded it as a hoax; but on the 19th the story was confirmed. The 
sad news cast a deep gloom over Sherman's army, and some of the 
more reckless of the men threatened to wreack vengeance on the 
people. If Johnston's army had been then surrounded it is not 
difficult to guess what might have occurred. 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 383 

On account of the assassination of Lincoln, and fearing that 
some of the soldiers might attempt to avenge his death on the 
people, Sherman called all the regimental commanders together, 
and told them that he would hold each one responsible for the good 
behavior of his men during the awful excitement consequent on the 
president's death. It is safe to say that not many of those colonels 
slept for the three nights following, doing patrol duty themselves 
and watching their guards and men every minute of the time. 
Soon the men began to realize that the defenceless people were not 
to blame, and that, after all, it was not the hand of a Southerner 
that committed the terrible and cowardly crime. Quiet now ob- 
tained, and there was no longer any danger of trouble. 

On the 21st of April, the Twenty-third Army corps was re- 
viewed by Generals Grant and Sherman. The Ninth New Jersey, 
the One Hundred Fourth Ohio and the Seventeenth Massachusetts 
were specially mentioned for their soldierly bearing and marching. 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL JOHNSTON'S ARMY. 

On the 26th of April, 1865, General Joseph E. Johnston's 
army surrendered to General Sherman. General John C. Brecken- 
ridge, former vice-president of the United States, conducted the 
negotiations for Johnston, receiving the same terms as those 
accorded to General Lee by General Grant. This action on the 
part of Sherman was resented by Secretary of War Stanton, who 
declared that Sherman had transcended his authority, and threat- 
ened to have the army of Johnston recalled and new stipulations 
imposed. Sherman won in the controversy, and the two became 
bitter enemies while they lived. 



STONEWALL JACKSON'S HORSE. 

On May 4, General Henderson, with his brigade, except the 
Seventeenth, took train for Greensboro, N. C., leaving the Seven- 
teenth to march the distance, guarding baggage wagons and am- 



384 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

bulances. With the Seventeenth was Lieutenant Schaffer of 
General Henderson's staff. The march was taken up on the fifth 
of May, and soon Colonel Splaine found that Schaffer and himself 
could not agree about marching a regiment under a hot sun. 

To digress for a moment, it may be said that while Colonel 
Splaine was seeing General Henderson off, among the many parolled 
Confederate officers on the cars was a colonel, who, on seeing 
General Carter's horse, exclaimed, "Oh, there is Billy!" Splaine 
inquired what he meant, and was told that General Carter was then 
mounted on Stonewall Jackson's horse. The Confederate colonel 
called the attention of other ex-Confeds. on the car to the horse, 
and all agreed that it was the horse in question. They had served 
on Stonewall's staff and remembered the horse well. The fact 
was, however, that the horse was given to General Carter by Colo- 
nel Splaine at the battle of Wise's Forks, after the former's horse 
had been shot from under him. Jackson's horse was captured at 
Mosely Hall, the home of Jackson's father-in-law. 

Attention may also be called to a gathering of generals at a 
review of the troops by Lieut.-General Grant, on the 22d of April, 
in the city of Raleigh, N. C. There were present on that occa- 
sion one lieutenant-general, fifteen major-generals and twenty- 
five brigadier-generals. Such a gathering of generals was perhaps 
never before seen on this continent. 



THE MARCH TO GREENSBORO. 

To resume the narrative of the march to Greensboro : Colo- 
nel Splaine found that Schaffer wanted to march double-quick 
time for 105 miles, while the colonel knowing that the war was over 
was determined not to kill his men to please Schaffer or any one 
else. On May 6, it being very warm, the command made twenty- 
two miles, many of the men becoming prostrated from the heat. 
The command reached the beautiful town of Chapel Hill that 
night. 

The next morning Colonel Splaine told Schaffer that he would 
march his regiment as he pleased, and if the staff officer did not 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 385 

like that way of doing business he could start ahead, taking in his 
ambulances and wagons the men who had been prostrated the day 
before, and some others who were not in good marching order, to 
guard the train; and added, "Lieutenant Schaffer, if you and I 
keep company much longer, and you continue to be as disagreeable 
as you have been, I shall feel constrained to place you under arrest. 
Now, go in peace, and behave yourself.' ' 

On this day the Seventeenth was marched forty minutes in 
each hour, resting twenty minutes. By this means the command 
got along comfortably ; but the next day the regiment was marched 
during the cool of the morning and late afternoon, thus avoiding 
the terrible midday heat. 



COLONEL SPLAINE'S IRISH-AFRICAN FRIEND. 

During the afternoon the command reached the Haw River, 
which they forded, some of the men being compelled to swim part 
of the way. While they halted on the other side there came along 
a man, carrying a basket on his arm. While waiting for all the men 
to cross and get in condition to resume the march, the colonel en- 
gaged the man in conversation. He was a respectable appearing 
person, with light flaxen hair and sandy whiskers. When asked 
if he belonged up at the big house on the hill, he said that he did. 
He was then asked if he was superintendent or foreman. He said 
he was neither. He was asked if he was steward, butler or mechan- 
ic, and he returned the same answer. " Then what are you?' ' — " I 
am a slave." The colonel was surprised, and said, "Why, man, 
you are as white as I am.' ' 

The men, now marching in route step, pushed up around the 
colonel's horse, and the stranger, eager to get some news or hear 
the conversation. The colonel then inquired how the man became 
a slave, and he answered, "Well, you see, sir, my mother was an 
octoroon and my father a white man.' ' — Your mother was a slave, 
then?" — "Yes, sir." — What was your father's name?" — "Burns, 
sir." — "And what countryman was he?" asked the colonel, un- 
prepared for the revelation that followed. "He was an Irishman, 
sir." 



386 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

On hearing this answer, there was a roar of laughter from the 
men, and one, bolder that the others, shouted, "Colonel, that's 



one on you 



The colonel retorted by saying, "Only the half of him belongs 
to me; the other belongs to you, for his mother was a good Ameri- 
can.' ' This sally from the colonel created lots of merriment, and 
the laughter became general when the boys in the rear were made 
acquainted with what had taken place at the head of the column. 
The big house on the hill was the residence of Judge Rufhn, whose 
son fired the first shot of the war when he fired on Fort Sumter in 
the spring of 1861. 



A SAD WAR STORY. 

On the following morning the boys were started out before 
five o'clock, and marched during the cool of the forenoon. When 
it was about time to go into camp for the warm part of the day, the 
colonel, as was his wont, dashed ahead, with the view of finding a 
shady place near a well of water or a brook. He soon approached 
a place which showed evidences of former opulance, but which was 
now desolate and deserted — a wreck of war. The mansion house 
had been burned down, as had many of the smaller slave houses 
or quarters. 

While surveying this sad spectacle, the colonel heard voices 
from the other side of a hedge across the road from the ruined 
houses, and on approaching it, he beheld a sight which amazed him. 
He asked of an old gentleman on the other side: "What are you 
doing there, sir?" The answer was : "We are plowing, sir. You 
see, Sherman's men destroyed our houses, killed our cattle, drove 
our servants away, took all there was to eat, and all the seed we 
had for planting. A friend who was more fortunate than I was, 
has kindly given us a little seed, and now we are trying to plant it, 
though it is late in the season, hoping we may be able to raise 
enough to keep us from starving next winter.' ' 

The gentleman — and a gentleman he was — was holding the 
handle of a jack-plow (a light plow, such as the Southern farmer 
would hitch a small mule or large donkey to, to do his light plow- 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 387 

ing). While he was holding the handles of the plow, and 
pushing it with all his energy, what was pulling at the other end? 
It was not a mule or a donkey. No, incredible as it may seem, 
it was no animal, but it was his two beautiful daughters! Great 
God! What a sight! War is hell, indeed! The colonel said, 
"Take your daughters into one of the shanties. My regiment 
is marching up, and I do not want my men to see them under the 
present conditions. My men will halt only a few minutes, and 
after we have departed, you will find a good horse hitched to that 
farthest shanty." "Whose horse?" he asked. "Mine," said 
the colonel. "My servant is riding my spare horse, and he must 
now march like the other men.' ' 

In conversation with the gentleman, it was learned that his 
wife had been dead a few years, that his two sons had lost their 
lives in Lee's army, and that his daughters had acquired their 
education before he lost all he had at the hands of Sherman's men. 

The regiment now came up, but halted only long enough to 
permit the colonel to make the promised transfer. Poor John 
Lynch, alias Captain Mack's boy felt mighty sore when told to 
take his traps off the horse, and hitch the animal to the shack. 
Lynch inquired how he was going to carry the stuff for head- 
quarters. He was told that the colonel would carry some of it 
and the adjutant the rest. 

The colonel now shouted, "Major Smith, march the regiment 
to that grove ahead, where you will find a nice stream of water. 
We will camp there till late in the afternoon.' ' 

After the command had passed on, the gentleman and his 
daughters again appeared, inspected their new horse, and were 
profuse in their thanks for the gift. The gentleman said, "Colonel, 
if we of the South had known you people of the North as well 
before the war, as we know some of you now, there never would 
have been a war between the two sections." As the colonel 
turned his horse to go, all three, father and daughters, shook his 
hand and wished him Godspeed. Who could help feeling badly 
at the sad plight of this stricken family, even to shedding of tears? 
Colonel Splaine related that three years ago he met a Georgia 
colonel of the old Confederate army at the State House in Boston, 



388 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

and told him the story. The ex-Confederate listened to the 
recital with tears in his eyes, and remarked: "It is too bad that 
I can't reward you for your generous aid to that family." The 
colonel replied that he felt compensated for his act in the con- 
sciousness that he had done a generous act to a good family in 
dire distress. 

A MASSACHUSETTS SECESSIONIST. 

On May 9th, and when Colonel Splaine thought it about time 
to halt for twenty minutes, he rode ahead to find a suitable place 
to rest. He found an attractive village of about thirty houses, 
all painted white. An air of neatness pervaded the place. He 
espied an old-fashioned well, with an old-fashioned sweep be- 
side it. He thought: "Here is just the place for the boys to get 
a nice drink of cool water." As he drew nearer, however, 
he discovered that there was no bucket attached to the pole, and 
said to himself, "Where, Oh where, is the Old Oaken Bucket 
that hung in the well?' ' 

He now beheld a respectable looking man observing him, 
and anxious to know something about "the moss-covered bucket,' 
called the man to him, and saluting, said, "How do you do, sir?" 
The man in turn saying, "Howdy, sir?" Then the colonel 
inquired what had become of the "iron-bound bucket that 
hung in the well." The man, looking somewhat stern, replied 
that he did not know anything about it. The colonel said his 
regiment was coming up, and as the boys would be thirsty, it 
would be nice to restore it to its former position, "the moss- 
covered bucket that hung in the well." The man then said, 
"Sir, I don't know anything about the bucket, and I don't 
care anything about it." And he added: "Sir, I am a Massa- 
chusetts man. I have lived here twenty years, and, sir, I want 
you to know that I am a secessionist of secessionists, and, sir, 
my name is Eldridge. I was born in Massachusetts and was 
brought up there, and if I had my way, I wouldn't give one of you 
as much as a drink of water." The colonel retorted: "My 
friend, I am sorry to find a son of that grand old Common- 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 389 

wealth who entertains the sentiments you have just expressed;" 
and then added: "Did you have to leave that State because you 
had committed some awful crime?" Eldridge was furious, but 
dared not retaliate. 

The regiment now marched up. The colonel commanded: 
"Halt ! In place ! Rest ! Sergeant, take four men, fix bayonets, 
face the man about, — don't kill him, — but be sure to make him 
find that 'old oaken bucket that hung in the well.' See, where 
the water dropped on the sand as the bucket was carried into 
the back yard." The sergeant obeyed orders, and gently, yet 
firmly persuaded Eldridge to find the missing utensil, which was 
then fastened to the sweep, and Mr. Eldridge was compelled 
to draw water until every man in the regiment, the colonel in- 
cluded, had slaked his thirst and every canteen was filled. 

As the work of drinking and filling canteens went on, the 
men who were not actually drinking, sang "The Old Oaken 
Bucket That Hung in the Well." That song reminded many 
of the boys of the homes thej^ had not seen for a long time, and 
perhaps reminded Eldridge of "the scenes of his childhood." 

The colonel now ordered: "Fall in, battalion! Right face!" 
and loud enough to be heard by all the men, said, "Mr. Eldridge, 
you degenerate son of noble sires, if the war was not over, I 
would try you by drum head courtmartial, and if you were found 
guilty, I would — yes, I would " "What, sir?" asked Eld- 
ridge, now covered with sweat after his work of drawing water. 
"I would, yes, I would, sir," said the colonel. "Good-bye, 
you disgrace to Massachusetts. Forward, march!" and as the 
command moved on, many of the boys regarded Eldridge with 
looks which plainly showed that they would like to do what 
their commander thought. 



AT GREENSBORO, N. C. 

On to Graham that night, and the next day, May 10, in the 
afternoon, the regiment entered Greensboro, having marched 
one hundred miles in five days. The command was welcomed by 



390 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Generals Carter and Henderson. The regiment got a much- 
needed rest for a few days without performing any duty. On the 
following evening, the regimental "Glee Club" of which Hugh 
Young was the leader and alto, assisted by T. P. George, first 
tenor; A. J. Gilman, second tenor; Benjamin Sargent, baritone; 
Albert Sargent, bass; serenaded the regiment, singing patriotic 
and other stirring songs. 

After the serenade, the Glee Club, led by the colonel and 
other officers of the Seventeenth, called on Generals Carter and 
Henderson, and gave them a sample of what Hugh Young's 
singers could do in the way of vocal music. The glee club was an 
institution. 

After the muster-out of the old regiment, in July, 1864, the 
club, through its fine singing, relieved the monotony of camp- 
life. It was heard by everj'^ officer in Schofield's command, and 
even by General Sherman. The glee club, indeed, was well- 
known throughout the army, and its members were the pets of 
their own regiment. 

(The following is a sample of the patriotic and pathetic songs 
frequently sung by Hugh Young's quartette, to thousands of 
attentive listeners, in the armies of General Sherman and Scho- 
field.) 

THE PATRIOT'S GRAVE. 
Air — The Rover's Grave. 

We laid him away in the cold, damp ground, 

By the banks of a southern stream — 
Afar from his home, in a stranger land, 

'Neath the heat of the tropic sun's beams. 

Chorus. 

Sleep, soldier, sleep, in thy rough southern tomb, 

While above thee the winter winds rave. 
In summer the birds will thy requiem sing. 

And willows weep over thy grave. 

No coffin enclosed his mangled remains, 

No shroud, save his uniform old; 
But his name is entwined in the laurels of fame, 

And on memory's pages enrolled. 

Chorus. 
Sleep, soldier, sleep, etc. 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 391 

He sleeps, all unheeding the cannon's deep roar 

Or the sound of the murmuring stream. 
While armies march o'er him in death-dealing war, 

He sees not the rifles' bright gleam. 

Chorus 
Sleep, soldier, sleep,etc. 

For his country he fought, for his country he fell — 

A martyr to liberty's cause. 
Fair Freedom he loved, and to see her prevail. 

He died for her flag and her laws. 

Chorus. 
Sleep, soldier, sleep, etc. 

In a little white cot, in the land of the North 

They are waiting his coming again. 
They dream not his body all mangled and torn 

Is laid in the ranks of the slain. 

Chorus. 
Sleep, soldier, sleep, etc. 

Sleep, soldier, sleep, in thy rough southern tomb, 

While above thee the winter winds rave. 
In summer the birds will thy requiem sing, 

And the willows weep over thy grave. 

Chorus. 
Sleep, soldier, sleep, etc. 



The Seventeenth Massachusetts was now ordered on pro- 
vost duty, and Colonel Splaine was made commandant of the 
town. Orders were issued for a thorough cleaning up of the town, 
and where the natives were too poor to do it, or no men were at 
I home, negroes were employed and paid by the United States 

Government, until Greensboro was soon as clean and as sanitary 
as Boston. The streets were scraped and swept every day, the 
trunks of the shade trees on the streets whitewashed, some very 
old rookeries torn down and their lumber burned. All houses 
were cleaned inside and out, the natives entering heartily into 

ithe work of sanitation. 
The town authorities, headed by Major Scott, assisted 
Colonel Splaine in every way. All went well, until the colonel 



392 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

requested Mr, Worthington, the depot master and agent of the 
railroad running through the town, to have his employees clean 
up around the station. Worthington refused, teUing the colonel 
that he wasn't going to be dictated to by a northern mudsill, 
and if the colonel wasn't wearing that uniform coat, he, Worth- 
ington, would show him what he meant. The colonel simply 
said, " Are you a gentleman?' ' Worthington claimed that he was. 
"Then, sir," said the colonel, "1 will send a gentleman to see 
you, and, waving the privilege of my coat, will meet you in any 
way approved of by gentlemen.' ' 

That afternoon Captain Keenan of the Seventeenth called 
upon Worthington with a note from the colonel, demanding 
satisfaction. After reading the note, Worthington wilted, 
apologized and requested a call from the colonel, to whom he 
made a formal retraction and apology. After that the work of 
cleaning went on in good shape. 

About this time a number of prominent people from Illinois 
called on General Henderson, and settled down in camp. The 
proficiency of the Seventeenth at battalion drill was so marked 
that the general, in order to entertain his visitors, bargained with 
Colonel Splaine that thereafter his command would be excused 
from all other duties if he would give them a battalion drill and 
dress parade in the afternoon. This was done, and such drills 
and such parades! The visitors and the general enjoyed every 
part of them, and the Seventeenth had a fine time. 

About this time Adjutant James H. Stewart, who had been 
left behind on account of severe sickness at Chapel Hill, returned 
to camp, and was warmly greeted. 

June 1st was made a day of penitence and sorrow in the 
whole army on account of the death of President Lincoln, a 
memorial day, so to speak. Captain Moore was now made acting 
assistant adjutant-general to Henderson's brigade. 

On June 16, 1865, Lieutenant-Colonel Splaine was com- 
missioned colonel; Major William W. Smith, lieutenant-colonel; 
Captain John E. Mullally, major, and First Lieutenant Malcolm 
Sillars, captain. 



THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 393 

On June 1, 1865, the following named sergeants were com- 
missioned as second lieutenants; Robert Smith of Dan vers; 
Joseph A. Welch, Haverhill; John Cowan, Salisbury; Brotherton 
Martin, Newburyport; Thomas A. Murray, Lynn; John Dunn, 
Newburyport; Thomas S. Clymonts, New Bedford; Joseph G. 
Martin, Danvers; Joseph G. Kelley, Haverhill; and George 
W. Hewes of Haverhill. 



STRICKEN WITH SICKNESS. 

Sickness now prevailed in the Seventeenth, and men were 
dying at the rate of four every day, and the only firing to be heard 
was the volleys over the graves of departed comrades. The col- 
onel and several of his officers visited the hospitals in and around 
Greensboro about every day to encourage the sick and soothe 
the dying in their last moments. One impressive case was where 
the colonel carried a second lieutenant's commission to Sergeant 
John Dunn of Company A. He found the sergeant dying, soothed 
him and placed the commission in his hand. The dying man knew 
his commander, kissed his hand, drew the commission close to 
him, kissed that too, and died almost immediately after. 

Another case was that of Delano of the Seventeenth. When 
the regiment was going home, the surgeons reported that the 
man was dying and nothing could save him. The colonel, on a 
visit to the hospital, said, "If he must die, why not let him die 
in my hands? I will take him along, and perhaps a change of 
climate may do him good." The doctor said, "No use," but 
the colonel persisted, and finally won his point. He took the 
dying man along, and after the command had been on the salt 
water only four hours, Delano showed signs of improvement. 
He has been improving ever since, and lives today to thank 
his commander for having saved his life. 



AMOS HOMANS. 



Amos Romans was born a slave in Middleton, Hyde County, 
N. C, September 20, 1839, and was the property of Mr. Riley Mur- 



394 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

ray. Homans worked on Murray's plantation until some time 
after the breaking out of the civil war, when he concluded to be 
free. He ran away from his master, and made an effort to reach 
Newbern, where he believed there was a Union army. He was 
captured by Confederate troops, but not until after he had been 
shot in both legs. 

Homans was taken to Greensboro, where he was let out to 
work for a new master, his wages, however, being sent regularly 
to his owner, Riley Murray. He finally found his way among 
Union troops, and on June 21, 1865, joined the Seventeenth Massa- 
chusetts at Greensboro. His special patrons and protectors were 
Nat. Pope of Danvers, Mass.; Billy Stackpole of Ipswich, Mass.; 
and Sergeant Martin of Rowley, Mass. 

At Greensboro, Homans became cook to Captain James 
Splaine, Company A. Upon the mustering out of the Seventeenth, 
Homans came to Massachusetts as the servant of Captain Lewis 
Cann. He resided and worked near his captain, in Danvers, Mass. 
for about three years, after which he removed to Beverly, Mass., 
where he has resided up to the present time. He is now janitor of 
the Odd Fellows Building in that city. He married a good woman 
and is the father of four children who are now grown up and are 
respectable members of the community. 

Homans never fails to attend the reunions of Company A, 
and also the annual regimental reunion. He likes to meet his old 
comrades and protectors, and especially likes to meet his first 
captain's brother, Colonel Splaine. 

On June 19, Henderson's brigade was broken up. On June 
28, Captain Joseph A. Moore was made acting assistant adjutant 
general of General Carter's third division. On June 30, the men 
of the Seventeenth who had enlisted for one year were mustered 
out, and on July 1, under command of the gallant Captain Enoch 
F. Tompkins of Haverhill, started for Massachusetts for final pay. 
They were a good body of men, and as they started, the regiment 
saluted them, and all the old vets, cheered them. 



MUSTER OUT AND RETURN HOME. 395- 

A FOURTH OF JULY SALUTE FROM REBEL CANNON. 

Just prior to July 4, Colonel Splaine conceived the idea of 
firing an immense salute on that anniversary, and for this purpose 
had cleaned up 112 cannon, surrendered by General Joseph E. 
Johnston to General Sherman at the close of the war. He had 
the guns loaded with Johnston's powder, five pounds to the gun, 
and then got permission from General Ruger to do the job. 

At twelve o'clock, noon, on July 4, 1865, he rode into the cen- 
ter of the great park. He had stationed a man holding lanyards 
between every two guns, and fired his pistol, which was the signal. 
The 112 pieces went off at once, and with them Splaine off his 
horse; the fifty-six men were thrown off their feet, and nearly all the 
darkies in town went off to the woods, believing that the Day of 
Judgment had come. The only thing seriously hurt was a lot of 
window glass, but that was expected. 

Colonel Splaine thought it highly proper to close the war 
officially by celebrating the nation's birthday with the guns and 
powder of the beaten enemy. 



MUSTER-OUT OF THE SEVENTEENTH AND RETURN 

HOME. 

On July 8, orders came to muster out all men of the Third 
Division, Twenty Third Army corps, of which the Seventeenth 
was a part. For three days it was write and write on muster-rolls, 
and on the 11th of July, the Seventeenth was mustered out of the 
service of the United States by Captain A. B. Smith, mustering 
officer of the Twenty Third corps. 

On July 12, the regiment marched to the railroad station at 
Greensboro. The command saluted General Carter as it marched 
by, the gallant third division commander making a nice speech to 
them. Mayor Scott of Greensboro presented an address of thanks 
to Colonel Splaine and his men for having thoroughly cleaned up 
his city. That night the train passed Danville, reaching Burks- 
ville the next day, and remained there until the 15th; thence by 



396 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

train it was carried to City Point, Va., passing through Petersburg 
on the way. At City Point the steamer "Ranger" was boarded 
at midnight. The regiment reached New York July 18, and Read- 
ville, Mass., on the 19th. The officers and men were allowed to 
go home until the 26th, when they all returned and were finally 
paid ol!" on that and the next day. 

Thus ended the service of the Seventeenth Massachusetts 
Volunteer Infantry,— a regiment which had served its country for 
a period of four years and three months. It was an honorable, 
hard-working and hard-fighting regiment. The officers and men 
had earned the respect of every general they had served under, 
and had won the good will of the inhabitants of that portion of the 
South in which they had served. They were obedient to disciphne, 
respectful and brave. They returned to their friends, who proudly 
welcomed them home. They came home to be as good citizens 
as they had been good soldiers. 



SUMMARY OF LOSSES. 

During its term of service the Seventeenth Regiment lost in 
killed, wounded, died of wounds, died in Confederate prisons, dis- 
charged on account of wounds or other disabilities, — six 
hundred fifty officers and men. 



ONE OF THE BOYS OF ^61. 

(Benjamin P. Rogers of Newbury, Mass., of Company A, 
Seventeenth Regiment, contributes the following readable sketch 
of the history of the regiment.) 

At a time when all boys back on the farms in New England 
were aroused by patriotic tendencies, which were the result of 
reading accounts of the John Brown episode, and later, his execu- 
tion in 1859, I was one of the number, and work on the farm be- 
came irksome; but time wore on, and when, in April, '61, rebel 
guns were trained on Fort Sumter, the farm and the onion-bed had 



MUSTER OUT AND RETURN HOME. 397 

no longer any charm for me, and although only sixteen years of 
age, I felt that when my country needed me, when that starry em- 
blem of liberty and freedom had been insulted, then my patriotic 
impulse knew no bounds. 

I left my work, told my mother (my father had long since 
passed away) of my intentions, and with great anticipation of my 
pride and soldierly appearance when I should have donned the 
army blue, I hastened away from home with a light step and a long 
stride, fully determined to enlist, and if need be, to shed my blood 
in defence of my country. 

I soon reached the city of Newburyport, and on May 21, 1861, 
Benjamin P. Rogers enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Regi- 
ment Massachusetts Volunteers, — the company being known as 
the "City Grays" of Newburyport. On August 23, 1861, we 
started for the seat of war. On reaching Baltimore, Md., and be- 
cause we had slept in the open air, we thought we were having a 
taste of real warfare. Here six companies of the regiment were 
ordered into Maryland and Eastern Shore of Virginia, General 
Lockwood in command. Came back to Baltimore after an ab- 
sence of two weeks. 

Our next move was to Fortress Monroe on steamer "Star of 
the South." Arriving at the fort, we were ordered to proceed to 
Newbern, N. C, and ascended the Neuse River, April 1, '62, 
landed at Newbern, N. C, and immediately went into camp for 
some time. 

On June 23, 1862, we found ourselves at Swift Creek (correct- 
ly named,) where only a short scrap took place, and where we re- 
mained only ten days, and on July 4, we marched twenty-four 
miles back to Newbern, and into camp, where we had some good 
times together. I can distinctly recall, after nearly fifty years have 
elapsed, a prize fight which took place in the camp, between Com- 
rades Edmunds and Corporal Young. Besse acted as a backer 
for Young, while Austin did the honors for Edmunds. The battle 
was short, spicy and decisive, for Young won the honors in a single 
round. 

Our next duty outside of camp life was picket duty. There 
we enjoyed ourselves in card playing, shaking dice and an occasional 



398 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

bit of foraging was indulged in on the sly; but we believe this 
was pardonable when the lot of the average soldier is considered, 
for surely the hungry soldier loves the taste of a tender chicken and 
bacon, and many a time has the writer aided the "boys' ' in "con- 
fiscating' ' these necessaries. 

By some men Company A was considered a hard crowd, and 
perhaps we were ; but Company A, (as well as the entire regiment 
Seventeenth Massachusetts) were never found wanting when 
there was work to do, and be it said to the honor of the men of Com- 
pany A, they all loved their commander. Captain Splaine, and were 
ever ready to follow him as captain of Company A, or as colonel of 
the Seventeenth Regiment, and that same love exists now (inten- 
sified by the lapse of time) as we meet our gallant colonel and shake 
his kindly hand at our annual re-unions. 

Our lot up to the time of our re-enlistment in 1864 (January 
2) was indeed varied, but we bore all hardships without much com- 
plaint. We had expected furloughs in early February, but fate 
had decreed otherwise, and a small "scrap" took place, with the 
result that out of a force of one hundred fifteen men, sixty-five were 
left on the field, and here our gallant Colonel Fellows was captured. 

All signs now pointed to an early closing of the war, and 
the time was fast coming when we all must bid farewell to the 
Southland and to the graves of fallen heroes scattered far and 
wide. Neither the bugle notes nor the rattling drum beats to dis- 
turb the sleeping soldier boy, as he sleeps the sleep that knows no 
waking by mortals, for the boys have answered their last roll- 
call ; and yet there is comfort to me in the belief that once more I 
shall meet those who have passed out into the spirit land before 
us, whether they sleep their last sleep in a quiet cemetery, beneath 
the billows of old ocean, or on the battle fields of the Southland. 
There will come an awakening, and we shall all meet again, and I 
am looking forward to that time when we shall see as we are seen, 
and know as we have been known. 



We left old Massachusetts 

. Our country's cause to win ; 
To fight for God and home-land 
With misled foes within. 



MUSTER OUT AND RETURN HOME. 399 

We left our cheerful firesides, 

Dressed in our "army blue' ', 
Determined at all hazards 

To ne'er disgrace its hue. 

We followed close Old Glory, 

So dear to every son. 
Each stripe a blaze of glory, 

Each star a statehood won. 

But now our conflict ended. 

The bugle calls no more; 
No drum-beat wakes our slumber 

As in the days of yore. 



VALEDICTORY OF COLONEL SPLAINE. 

As the last surviving commander of the regiment, I 
desire to say a final word, or if the reader please, fire the last 
shot before the history goes to press. 

In justice to myself and to the officers and men with whom I 
served, many of whom were under my command, I feel it a duty to 
convey to my surviving comrades, to the surviving kindred of my 
departed comrades, and to the public generally, the high regard 
in which I held the officers and men of my regiment, and the 
esteem in which I hold my surviving comrades today, their families 
and the families of our comrades who have been mustered out 
forever. 

Colonel Thomas I. C. Amory — the brave, educated and 
trained soldier — large in stature as in mind — must have been 
proud to find himself in command of a regiment whose officers 
and men, with few exceptions, were the sturdy sons of his native 
Massachusetts, whose unselfish patriotism made it an easy 
task for their commanding officers to mould them into disciplined 
and valud,ble soldiers, to whom an approving word or glance of 
the eye would stir within them emotions of pride and satisfaction, 
a colonel proud of his regiment, a regiment proud of its colonel. 
Colonel Amory's knowledge of the art of war was so evident that 
he was frequently in command of brigades and divisions, thus 
removing him at times from intimate and constant touch with 
his regiment. 



400 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

Lieutenant-Colonel John F. Fellows of Chelsea, Mass., 
was generally the active commander. He was a trained Massa- 
chusetts soldier. He was educated, handsome, patriotic, brave, 
and in the duties of commanding officer of his regiment, he was 
painstaking and earnest. In campaigns, his well-known com- 
mand: "Forward, Seventeenth!" was as familiar to the ears of 
his officers and men as was their daily hard tack to their stomachs. 
Colonel Fellows was proud of his regiment, because they were 
volunteers like himself, doubly proud because his officers and men 
gave him their undivided loyalty and confidence. His command 
only ceased when he became a prisoner of war. 

I was the third and last commander of the regiment, taking 
command July 17, 1864, when the three years' men were mustered 
out. My regiment was mainly composed of veteran volunteers, 
most of whom had served in the old regiment. If Colonel 
Amory was proud of being in command of the old Seventeenth 
Massachusetts Regiment, and if Colonel Fellows was doubly 
proud as commander of it, I can only say that I was trebly 
proud when I found myself in command of substantially the same 
gallant regiment. Proud! I was the proudest rnan on earth! 
Colonels Amory and Fellows had military training, which to a 
great extent enabled them to readily assume command and 
receive the promotion which they so richly deserved; but in my 
case, promotion came only after the hardest kind of study and 
work. I knew my officers and men, and they knew me. Con- 
fidence and respect was mutual. Discipline without cruelty 
was strictly enforced, not for the pleasure of the commanding 
officer, but for the benefit and safety of the men, who were likely 
to be called upon any minute to meet the enemy ; and when they 
were called upon, as in the well fought battle of Wise's Forks, 
they showed the value of discipline. There they displayed 
their true bravery, their patriotism and devotion to their country's 
flag, by achieving a victory over superior numbers, and winning 
the admiration of the commanding generals for their gallant 
conduct in a stubborn fight, which lasted three days. 

No wonder I was proud of my men^ — men who gave me their 
willing obedience, and who seemed even to anticipate my every 



MUSTER OUT AND RETURN HOME. 401 

order, my every wish. The field, staff and line officers of the 
regiment were a brave, patriotic and intelligent body of gentle- 
men. By close application, they soon raised themselves to as 
high a standard of excellence as was attained by those of the 
same rank in any volunteer regiment in the service. The enlisted 
men — eighty percent of whom were of good old Yankee stock, 
and twenty percent representing all the other civilized nations 
of the earth, made up a regiment of brave, patriotic and self- 
respecting men. 

Because of the sudden call to arms, at the breaking out of the 
Civil War, many officers were hastily chosen in order to complete 
organizations for the field, when, if there had been ample time 
to make careful selection, some who were chosen officers would 
have remained in the ranks, and some who continued in the 
ranks would have been chosen to wear the sword. Many of 
the enlisted men were the equal in ability and intelligence of 
many of the officers who commanded them. But all could not be 
officers, neither could all be enlisted men; but enlisted or com- 
missioned, all aided in preserving the Union of the States. 

The creeds of the officers and men of the Seventeenth were 
about as many as were the nationalities they represented in the 
command, but I never knew of any strife, wrangle or angry 
argument among them about religion. There was one altar 
common to all, and that was the altar of their common country, 
one religion, in other words, that was common to all, which was: 
God and their Country's Flag. This idea is finely expressed by 
the poet in these lines : 

"What though ten thousand altars bear 
Each for heaven a different prayer; 
By hght of moon or hght of sun, 
At Freedom's we should all be one." 

Short biographies of several of the officers have been written, 
because some of those living have responded to the requests for 
facts pertaining to their personal history, and some of the 
families of deceased ones have furnished short sketches of them. 
Were it possible I would have biographies of all the officers 



\ 



402 THE SEVENTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. 

printed in the history; and not only that, I would have short 

sketches of every enlisted man who did honorable service in the 

regiment. But this is manifestly impossible, because the law 

of the State, relating to regimental histories, distinctly provides 

that the book must not contain more than 500 and not less than 

400 pages. To give a short sketch of the 2,000 and odd men who 

served in it, would require a book of 5,000 pages. But there is 

no need of this, for the men wrote their own biographies when 

they offered their lives that the nation might live; and dearer 

to the heart than any written history is the proud recollection of 

their sacrifices and privations in the field, and the fond memories 

of the friendships and associations then formed and so proudly 

and firmly cemented on the fields of honor, marched over by the 

victorious troops of the North. 

Annually, when our comrades strew flowers on pretentious 

tombs or on simple mounds, with unpretentious headstones, of the 

departed heroes, they are reminded that even the fragrance of 

the flowers is not as sweet as the proud and fond recollections 

which crowd upon them, recalling their youth and the young 

comrades whose memories they revere and honor for "all they 

were and all that they dared to do." Shall the friendship and 

fond ti€s, so bravely and patriotically formed, die in a short time? 

No, not for many generations to come, for they have become 

traditions in the families of the veterans, and as the poet says: 

" Long, long be my heart with such memories filled ; 
Like the vase in which roses have once been distill'd. 
You piay break, you may shatter the vase, if you will, 
But the scent of the roses will linger there still.' ' 

To conclude, I reverently bow to the memory of my deceased 
comrades, and offer my humble tribute of condolence to their 
bereaved families and kindred. My surviving comrades, their 
families and kindred, I respectfully salute, and say to them all, 
that were it possible that all were alive and young again, and that 
our country was threatened from within or without, and the 
governor of the State should say, "Here are fifty regiments — 
take your choice." I would command as I often did before: 
"Fall in, Seventeenth!" 

Henry Splaine. 



THE BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD. 
By Theodore O'Hare. 



' The muffled drum's low tap has beat 

The soldier's last tattoo; 
No more on life's parade shall meet 

The brave and fallen few. 
On fame's eternal camping-ground, 

Their silent tents are spread; 
And Glory guards with sacred round 

The Bivouac of the Dead.' ' 



The End. 



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